The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) organised a sensitisation programme on updates related to tuberculosis (TB) for private practitioners at Hotel Grand Vista, Walford, Dimapur, on October 23.
The programme aimed to familiarise private practitioners with the latest developments in TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while strengthening collaboration between the public and private healthcare sectors towards achieving the goal of TB elimination.
In his opening remarks, Dr T Yetovi, Tuccu, Chief Medical Officer, highlighted the importance of the programme in keeping healthcare providers updated on the latest developments in TB management and strengthening coordinated efforts to combat the disease. He informed that evidence of TB infection had been found in ancient Egyptian mummies and human skeletal remains, underscoring the long history of the disease.
Referring to the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Robert Koch in 1882 and the introduction of the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine in 1921, he observed that TB continued to remain one of the leading causes of death from infectious diseases despite more than a century of medical progress.
Citing the World Health Organization’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, the speaker stated that an estimated 10.7 million people developed TB worldwide, resulting in approximately 1.25 million deaths in 2023. India, the speaker noted, accounted for around 25–28% of the global TB burden, making the country a major contributor to the worldwide disease burden.
He identified malnutrition, high population density, diabetes, tobacco use and alcohol consumption as important factors contributing to the prevalence of TB. The association between diabetes and TB was also highlighted as a significant concern requiring greater awareness and preventive measures.
Turning to the situation in Nagaland, he stated that the state continued to report a significant number of TB cases, with Dimapur district recording the highest number among the districts, a development described as a matter of concern.
Emphasising the role of private healthcare providers in TB elimination, he pointed out that many patients sought medical care from private clinics, hospitals and individual practitioners. Private practitioners were therefore urged to remain familiar with government policies, protocols and the latest treatment guidelines for TB diagnosis and management.
Tuccu stressed that all healthcare providers must adhere to government-prescribed guidelines rather than independently adopting treatment approaches, as inconsistent practices could have serious consequences for patients and public health. The importance of counselling patients, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, was also emphasised. He also observed that financial difficulties and challenges in accessing healthcare could lead some patients to discontinue treatment after experiencing initial relief, increasing the risk of relapse and drug-resistant TB.
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Private practitioners were accordingly encouraged to counsel patients on the importance of completing the full course of treatment and to refer those requiring additional support to government healthcare facilities.
He further informed that patients referred to the government sector could access free diagnostic services and medical treatment, along with eligible government support schemes, including nutritional assistance.
Concluding, he called for stronger collaboration between private practitioners and the government health system to ensure that every diagnosed TB patient received appropriate treatment and completed the prescribed course of medication. Such coordinated efforts, the speaker said, were essential to preventing treatment interruptions, reducing drug resistance and advancing the goal of eliminating tuberculosis.
The session commenced with a welcome address and introduction by Dr Akum Jamir, State TB Officer, who also delivered a presentation on the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan strategy. The presentation highlighted initiatives aimed at accelerating efforts towards a TB-free India.
Dr Collins Z Sono, Medical Consultant, World Health Organization (WHO), spoke on recent updates in the management of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and the new regimen for TB preventive therapy.
A session on partnership for TB care was conducted by Temjenochetla Ao, State PPM Coordinator, NTEP, focusing on strengthening public-private partnerships in TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Dr DR Sharma, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), presented the response from private practitioners, highlighting their role in supporting TB elimination efforts, while, Dr Hutokha Hesso, senior MO, presented on NACP Goals. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Mlato Shikhu, District TB Officer, Dimapur.
The sensitisation programme is expected to enhance awareness among private healthcare providers about updated TB management protocols and promote stronger coordination with NTEP, reinforcing collective efforts towards tuberculosis elimination.
