Williamnagar, Jan 10: With an aim to eliminate TB by 2025, the Office of the District TB Officer, East Garo Hills District, on Tuesday distributed food baskets to TB Patients. These food baskets will help the patients in attaining nutritional needs that is required for their healthy balanced diet.
The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) is a new campaign launched by the President of India on 9th September 2022, where any individual, political parties, NGOs, Corporates, etc. can come forward to adopt TB patients on treatment for a minimum of 6 months and maximum for 3 years for their Nutritional Supports, Diagnostic, Vocational training and more. This scheme will enable to connect with the community and achieving TB free district.
Marcuise N Marak, MLA of Williamnagar Constituency, was present on the occasion as the chief guest. He expressed his thankfulness to the District TB Office for organising such program, which will benefit the patients and the community in providing the healthcare services to the needy free of cost. Marak, in his note, said he is ready to help the office in providing the required nutritional support to the TB patients in the district. He is also turned to be the Nikshay Mitra and he is supporting 50 TB patients and provided the nutritional food basket to the beneficiaries.
Earlier, in his keynote address, Dr. S.R. Marak, Senior Medical & Health Officer, highlighted that Tuberculosis is a communicable disease. The general symptoms of TB disease include coughing with or without blood, weight loss, fever, and night sweats and that if anyone having such symptoms can visit the nearest Government facilities for screening.
Dr. C E N Sangma, Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital Williamnagar, East Garo Hills, spoke about treatment and highlighted that TB is a curable disease and treatable with a minimum duration of six months. She also advised the TB patients to take medicine regularly and complete the course on time as prescribed by the health experts. She urged the patients to not miss or delay the dose in order to defeat TB within time.
So far, 82 patients have been adopted by the Nikshay Mitras who have come forward in providing food baskets to the TB patients which includes Abraham T. Sangma, Superintendent of Police; B K Marak, Housing Officer; Hasmuddin Ahmed; Doctors Association and Nurse Association of Civil Hospital, Williamnagar; Health staff of TB Office; and Youth of National People’s Youth Front. The food baskets will be given for 6 months so that the patients can maintain their nutritional balanced diet.
Mentionably, the District TB Office said the district is in need of more Nikshay Mitras and requested the citizens to come forward and support for another 150 patients in the District, so that the District can aim to be TB free. To become a Donor (Nikshay Mitra) or want to support TB patients, any individual or group(s) can register himself or herself in Nikshay Mitra portal at https://reports.nikshay.in/FormIO/DonorRegistration or email to [email protected] and can directly contact District TB Officer 8014360396/ DPC 8837409982.
