World TB Day celebrated in Rajouri

Rajouri : To raise public awareness about prevention and treatment of TB and to step up efforts to end the global epidemic, the District Administration Rajouri Thursday observed World TB Day with the theme, ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives’.
On the occasion, a grand awareness program was organised which was presided over by the District Development Commissioner, Vikas Kundal as the chief guest.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamim Un Nissa Bhatti; Dy CMO, Dr Anees Altaf Nabi; District Asha Coordinator; Dr Farooq Mir, DHO, Dr Khalid; Shahida Parveen from NGO and students were present at the event.
In his address, the Deputy Commissioner said that TB is a priority disease targeted for elimination from India by 2025 and community-led participation is an essential component to achieve the target within the stipulated time frame.
Highlighting the significance of the day, he said that it is observed annually to raise awareness among people about the mortifying health, financial and societal consequences of tuberculosis.
He also asked for timely identification of the patients suffering from the tuberculosis and putting them on effective treatment for their early recovery.
Earlier, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamim Un Nissa Bhatti highlighted the importance of the day and talked about the measures being taken worldwide to eliminate tuberculosis.
She also informed that special awareness programs were organized to inform the public about the prevention against the disease.
She also threw a detailed light on the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program- a Public Health initiative of the Government of India and flagship component of the National Health Mission offering technical and managerial leadership to anti-tuberculosis activities in the country.
Dy CMO, District Tuberculosis Officer also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the significance of the day. They also made the participants aware of many measures being put in place for the elimination of this global pandemic. They also stressed the need for social responsibility for the elimination of tuberculosis.
The participants were apprised about the achievements made under the NTEP across the district besides various kinds of free services including diagnosis, investigation and treatment being provided by the Government under the program.