World TB Day observed at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University

Aligarh: A big awareness drive and sensitization programme is the need of the hour to make people aware of the preventive measures and treatment of tuberculosis. This message was undertaken as the core agenda of the programmes held by the Rural Health Training Centre, Jawan (managed by the Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University) marking the the World Tuberculosis Day.

Dr Uzma Eram (Associate Professor) delivered an informative health talk stressing the importance of preventive measures and treatment of tuberculosis.

A Nukkad Natak was organized by a group of junior doctors underlining easy accessibility for an appropriate diagnosis and availability of an effective treatment for persons suspected to have tuberculosis. Dr Karthika P, Dr Ambika Saraswat, Dr Fazeelah Tasleem, Dr Monish MS, Dr Asma Aftab and Dr Jubair Shamsi actively participated in the play.

A short awareness film was also screened on the occasion, while Mr Mukesh Kumar Sharma (Senior Tuberculosis Lab Supervisor) described the importance of the newly established TrueNAT machine at CHC, Jawan and shed light on the Nikshay Poshan Yojana programme under which a sum of rupees 500 is given every month to tuberculosis patients to buy healthy food. A kit of stitched face masks and a soap were distributed on the occasion.

Prof Anees Ahmad (Chairperson, Department of Community Medicine) supervised the programme.

At the Department of Paediatrics, a week long awareness programme was organized to mark the World TB Day. A poster and quiz competition was held for undergraduate students, which was followed by an interactive session with the students of Blossoms’ School, Aligarh.

Prof Farzana K. Beig, Head of the Pulmonology and ID Clinic said that the day is observed in the memory of Robert Koch who discovered the TB bacteria in 1882. She said this year’s theme, “Clock is Ticking” reflects the need to work together to eliminate TB by adopting a Sustainable Development Goal to end this deadly epidemic by 2030.

Prof Beg said that with the COVID pandemic overshadowing other illnesses, TB continues to spread.

“We urge you to do your part to stop the chain of transmission of this lethal but preventable and treatable disease. Get tested for COVID and TB whenever in doubt”, she said.

Dr Akansha Mittal, Dr Swarna Singh, Dr Nida Khan, Dr Rajkumar, Dr Paroma and Dr Sameen took active part in organizing the awareness programmes.