Health Department holds sensitisation programme on TB and NCDs for media personnel in Pakyong
Pakyong, August 12 (IPR):
A one-day sensitisation programme for press and media houses on Tuberculosis (TB) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) was held at the meeting hall of the office of the ADC (Dev), Pakyong, RDD, today.
The programme was organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Pakyong District, with the aim of raising awareness and understanding among media persons on TB and NCDs, as well as strengthening collaboration between the Health Department and media houses to improve public health communication and outreach.
During the sensitisation programme, Chief Medical Officer, Pakyong District, Dr Madan Mani Dhakal, outlined the aims and objectives of the programme. He highlighted India’s target of eliminating TB by 2025 and the UN’s goal of ending TB by 2030, calling it one of the most ambitious global health missions.
He noted that despite ongoing efforts, TB remains a major public health challenge worldwide, with India bearing the highest burden. To address this, he outlined a range of focused strategies adopted by the Government of India to eradicate TB and accelerate progress towards a TB-free nation.
Further, the CMO spoke about Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), describing them as chronic conditions that are not transmissible from person to person. He noted that NCDs encompass a wide spectrum of medical disorders, both acute and chronic, including cancers, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and various other diseases.
He also briefed about the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), which focuses on health promotion, screening, early diagnosis, and management of individuals with NCDs, along with addressing associated risk factors, and presented data on the burden of NCDs in the district.
CMO further highlighted the importance of early detection and timely treatment of TB and NCD and stressed the role of the media in creating informed communities by accurately reporting health-related information.
He also outlined various government initiatives and schemes implemented to curb these diseases in the district such as Mobile Village Cilinc, National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly, National Mental Health Programme, National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment, National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness and National Tobacco Control Programme.
Moreover, he outlined a plan to strengthen mental health activities in the district by designating one male employee at the ward level as ‘Bharosa’ to serve as a counsellor.
Likewise, State TB Officer, Dr Nagendra Gurung provided an overview of TB, covering its symptoms, modes of transmission, the distinction between TB infection and TB disease, vulnerable groups, preventive measures, and the diagnostic process.
He highlighted that TB is curable, emphasised the need to complete the full course of medication, and outlined preventive measures such as a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and early testing for at risk individuals. He also noted that nutritional support under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana plays a vital role in patient recovery.
SPO-Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA), Ni-Kshay Mitra, Mr Maipak Singh, informed about Nikshay Poshan Yojana in which the Government of India provides 1000 rupees each month for TB patients for the entire duration of their treatment as nutritional support who are notified in the NIKSHAY portal.
He also briefed on the Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative, which encourages individuals, NGOs, corporates, faith-based organisations, and others to adopt TB patients for at least six months, providing nutritional, social, or economic support. He urged media personnel to help disseminate information about the initiative to encourage wider participation in adopting patients.
Following this, Chairman, Stars of Hope, Mr
Bikash Thapa, highlighted the role of the press and media in TB elimination through awareness generation, stigma reduction, behaviour change, and dissemination of accurate information. He noted that stigma often results in delayed diagnosis and underscored the media’s role in bridging the gap between healthcare providers and the public.
Mr Thapa further stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between the health sector and the media to ensure effective public outreach.
During the open discussion, media representatives and healthcare providers exchanged views on effective communication, shared experiences, and suggested measures to expand the reach of accurate information.
The programme also had the participation of ACSMO/ IEC Officer, Mr GS Regmi; officials from Health Department, Dr Digcha Shree Rai, Dr Hishey C Bhutia, Mr Dharni D Mishra and Mr Roshan Sharma.