YUPIA, Jul 31: The first meeting of the District Tuberculosis Forum was held near here at the DC’s conference hall in Papum Pare district to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the TB Forum at the district level on 30 July.
Chairing the meeting, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tabang Bodung called on the newly constituted forum to “work with missionary zeal” to achieve the target set by the Government of India to eradicate TB by 2025.
Taking note of the alarming rise of TB cases in the district, he said that proper counselling and involvement of all stakeholders is important to educate people on prevention of TB.
TRIHMS Chief Medical superintendent Dr Hage Ambing emphasized on the need to streamline the functioning of the District Tuberculosis Centre at Naharlagun.
He said that “there is need for urgent upgrade to have a full-fledged TB hospital for patients,” and advised the DTO to look for ways to expand its activities and develop infrastructure with better facilities.
District Medical Officer Dr Tasso Kampu Subu also stressed upon proper counselling of TB patients and on the need for separate TB hospital for better treatment of patients.
“It is high time for us to work for prevention of TB and its treatment,” Dr Subu said.
District Tuberculosis officer Dr PD Thongchi gave an overview of the District Tuberculosis Centre at Naharlagun and the District TB Forum.
He informed that “the TB forum will act as bridge between the community, TB patients, health system and civil society, with advocacy activities to influence policy, and provide accessible affordable, supportive TB services to the people with special focus on poor and vulnerable groups.”
He also informed the house about financial incentives for TB patients under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana-a nutritional support for TB patients. Under the scheme, Rs 500 is given to each notified TB patients; Rs 750 to tribal TB patients after completion of treatment; honorarium to treatment supporter for category-I Rs 1000, category-II Rs 1500, category-IV Rs 2000 and continuation phase- Rs 3000, and honorarium of Rs 500 per head to private practitioners or institution for notification of patients.
Dr Thongchi also elaborated on types of TB and collaborative efforts with the NCD, NTCP and Paragonimiasis.
He further informed that infection that mimics TB is paragonimiasis and it is caused by eating undercooked crab or crayfish and samples of patients suspected to have paragonimiasis are collected and are sent to the Bakin Pertin Memorial General Hospital in Pasighat, East Siang district for diagnosis. “So far, eight cases have been detected,” he informed.
During the discussion, representatives of Oju Welfare Association, Ratan Anya and Elizabeth Tangzang also participated and assured of their full support to the District TB Forum.
Naharlagun’s DR-TB site Nodal Officer, Dr T Kumar, DRCHO Dr Worar Taku, MO in-charge DTC Dr Hage Tabyo, Dr Kabak Tamar and staffs of District TB Centre, Naharlagun were also present. (DIPRO)