Meghalaya's Pioneering Effort: A 100-Day Campaign to Combat Tuberculosis

Meghalaya launches a 100-day Tuberculosis programme and Comprehensive TB Care initiative to reduce TB mortality. Secretary Ramkumar, a TB survivor, emphasizes awareness, especially among those previously affected. Efforts focus on community involvement and reducing morbidity rates, aiming for TB elimination by 2025.

In an ambitious effort to curtail tuberculosis (TB) mortality, Meghalaya has launched a 100-day TB programme alongside a Comprehensive TB Care Programme. Spearheaded by Ramkumar S., Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission in Meghalaya, the initiative categorizes individuals by risk levels, aiming to significantly reduce TB morbidity statewide.

Ramkumar, himself a childhood TB survivor, underscores the importance of awareness, particularly among those who have previously battled the disease. Engaging TB survivors to advocate for the initiative, he highlighted the critical role of community involvement, especially in women-led self-help groups, within Meghalaya's society.

Coinciding with plans to eliminate TB by 2025, Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced an expanded national effort on World TB Day. With TB incidence rates declining by 17.7 percent from 2015, the National TB Elimination Programme, supported by the National Health Mission, showcases significant progress towards making India TB-free.

(With inputs from agencies.)