News & Announcement
Stakeholders Unite to Strengthen TB Elimination Drive in Gyalshing
Gyalshing, March 17 (IPR): A biannual meeting of the District Level Tuberculosis (TB) Forum, organised by the District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC), Gyalshing, to review the progress of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) was convened today at the Conference Hall of the District Administrative Centre (DAC),Gyalshing.
The meeting was chaired by the District Collector-cum-Chairperson, District Level Tuberculosis Forum, Mr Tenzing D Denzongpa.
At the outset, Additional Director-cum-Chief Medical Officer (CMO),District Hospital Gyalshing, Dr Namgay Bhutia delivered the welcome address and underscored the importance of inter-departmental coordination and active involvement of all line departments to achieve the goal of TB elimination by 2030. He highlighted the Nikshay Mitra initiative, which provides nutritional support to TB patients for a minimum duration of six months, aiming to reduce stigma and ensure better treatment outcomes. He also acknowledged the continued support extended by the District Collector, Gyalshing, through a monthly contribution of ₹15,000 and called for enhanced participation from officers, community members and NGOs. He further urged non-governmental organizations to intensify Information, Education, and Communication (IEC)activities to ensure wider outreach.
District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO), Dr Suman Gurung, presented a comprehensive overview of the status and progress of TB control activities in the district under NTEP. The presentation covered key performance indicators, including case detection, treatment success rates, notification status, contact tracing, community awareness initiatives and ongoing interventions aimed at achieving TB elimination targets.
Dr Gurung emphasised the need for strengthened inter-departmental coordination and increased community participation to ensure early detection and successful treatment outcomes. He noted that TB elimination requires a multi-sectoral approach encompassing medical intervention, social support, awareness generation and coordinated action at all levels. He further urged departments to enhance awareness campaigns, ensure timely identification of suspected cases, and provide necessary support to patients undergoing treatment.
Addressing the meeting, District Collector Gyalshing highlighted the importance of collective efforts from all line departments and stakeholders in achieving the national goal of TB elimination. He stressed that coordinated action among government departments, NGOs and community organizations is essential to significantly reduce the TB burden in the district. To strengthen nutritional support initiatives, he encouraged officers present to voluntarily contribute, to which all officers expressed their willingness to extend monthly support.
An interactive session was also held during the meeting, wherein officials from various departments shared suggestions, raised queries and discussed challenges related to the implementation of TB elimination activities. The DTO and concerned officials addressed the queries and provided clarifications on programme implementation, including community outreach, patient support mechanisms and inter-departmental coordination. Several constructive suggestions were put forward to enhance awareness programmes, strengthen surveillance systems and improve access to diagnostic and treatment services.
The meeting was attended by BDO Gyalshing Mr Garap Dorjee Bhutia,BDO Dentam Mr Ongdi Bhutia,BDO Hee-Martam Mr Kailash Gurung, Medical Officers of all PHCs,ALC (Labour Department)Mr TN Namkha, District In-charge SRLM, Project Head SHIGA Energy Ltd.,President Heavenly Nirvana Path (Gyalshing) and representatives from various departments and organisations.
The meeting was chaired by the District Collector-cum-Chairperson, District Level Tuberculosis Forum, Mr Tenzing D Denzongpa.
At the outset, Additional Director-cum-Chief Medical Officer (CMO),District Hospital Gyalshing, Dr Namgay Bhutia delivered the welcome address and underscored the importance of inter-departmental coordination and active involvement of all line departments to achieve the goal of TB elimination by 2030. He highlighted the Nikshay Mitra initiative, which provides nutritional support to TB patients for a minimum duration of six months, aiming to reduce stigma and ensure better treatment outcomes. He also acknowledged the continued support extended by the District Collector, Gyalshing, through a monthly contribution of ₹15,000 and called for enhanced participation from officers, community members and NGOs. He further urged non-governmental organizations to intensify Information, Education, and Communication (IEC)activities to ensure wider outreach.
District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO), Dr Suman Gurung, presented a comprehensive overview of the status and progress of TB control activities in the district under NTEP. The presentation covered key performance indicators, including case detection, treatment success rates, notification status, contact tracing, community awareness initiatives and ongoing interventions aimed at achieving TB elimination targets.
Dr Gurung emphasised the need for strengthened inter-departmental coordination and increased community participation to ensure early detection and successful treatment outcomes. He noted that TB elimination requires a multi-sectoral approach encompassing medical intervention, social support, awareness generation and coordinated action at all levels. He further urged departments to enhance awareness campaigns, ensure timely identification of suspected cases, and provide necessary support to patients undergoing treatment.
Addressing the meeting, District Collector Gyalshing highlighted the importance of collective efforts from all line departments and stakeholders in achieving the national goal of TB elimination. He stressed that coordinated action among government departments, NGOs and community organizations is essential to significantly reduce the TB burden in the district. To strengthen nutritional support initiatives, he encouraged officers present to voluntarily contribute, to which all officers expressed their willingness to extend monthly support.
An interactive session was also held during the meeting, wherein officials from various departments shared suggestions, raised queries and discussed challenges related to the implementation of TB elimination activities. The DTO and concerned officials addressed the queries and provided clarifications on programme implementation, including community outreach, patient support mechanisms and inter-departmental coordination. Several constructive suggestions were put forward to enhance awareness programmes, strengthen surveillance systems and improve access to diagnostic and treatment services.
The meeting was attended by BDO Gyalshing Mr Garap Dorjee Bhutia,BDO Dentam Mr Ongdi Bhutia,BDO Hee-Martam Mr Kailash Gurung, Medical Officers of all PHCs,ALC (Labour Department)Mr TN Namkha, District In-charge SRLM, Project Head SHIGA Energy Ltd.,President Heavenly Nirvana Path (Gyalshing) and representatives from various departments and organisations.
