IMPHAL, March 27: The state-level observance of the 44th World Tuberculosis (TB) Day was held at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, Imphal, with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the Chief Guest.
The event was organized under the theme ‘Yes We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,’ and featured various activities, including the distribution of certificates of appreciation, food baskets from the Nikshay Mitra initiative, and Kayakalp Awards. The event also included a screening of a short film on TB elimination, along with a testimonial from a TB-recovered patient, emphasizing the importance of early detection and timely treatment in the fight against the disease.
Speaking at the event, Governor Bhalla highlighted that Tuberculosis remains a major health challenge not only in India but globally, impacting individuals, families, and communities. He described World Tuberculosis Day as one of hope and commitment towards achieving TB elimination by 2025, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s TB-Mukt Bharat initiative.
Governor Bhalla discussed the progress of the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign, which was launched on December 7, 2024, and implemented across six districts in Manipur. The campaign screened approximately 1 lakh individuals and identified over 400 new TB cases. The campaign made use of mobile diagnostic vehicles called ‘Nikshay Vahan’ for door-to-door testing, ensuring early detection and treatment, especially in remote areas. Under the Nikshay Mitra initiative, both individuals and organizations have pledged to provide nutritional assistance to TB patients, strengthening the support system for those affected.
The Governor reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating TB within the set timeline and urged the public to renew their pledge to intensify efforts toward achieving a TB-free future. He also commended the healthcare workers, administrators, and support staff for their vital contributions to the success of the Kayakalp program.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health), Sumant Singh, also spoke at the event and highlighted Manipur’s exceptional performance in the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign on the national level. He emphasized the importance of quality assurance efforts and the adoption of advanced medical technologies like Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) to ensure high sensitivity and specificity in TB detection. Singh expressed confidence that with community participation and engagement, the campaign to eliminate TB would continue to gain momentum and succeed in the near future.
