Viketoulie Metha, EAC, presented the tobacco free certification to four more schools at the District Hospital conference hall in Zunheboto on 19 October.

24 schools and six villages have been declared tobacco free under the district.

Dr Esther Ngullie, District Nodal Officer, appreciated the teachers in charge for their hard work and cooperation in restricting the use of tobacco within the school premises.

She also acknowledged the administration and the police department for playing an important role in the achievements of the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP).

Speaking at the Zunheboto District Level Consultative Committee (DLCC), Dr Ngullie requested the officials present to publicise the smoke free campaign and implement stern action against those offenders.

She also requested the officials to encourage the public to get their lungs checked with the new smokerlyzer free of cost.

Dr Esther further informed that counselling is being provided for those who wish to quit tobacco.

Tobacco free certificates being presented to school representatives at the DLCC meeting in Zunheboto.

The DLCC meeting also discussed the agendas of the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) and National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP)

Speaking for NTEP, Dr Y Aron Muru, DTO Zunheboto stated that synchronized efforts and contribution from all stakeholders is required to eliminate TB.

Muru mentioned that seventeen donors have contributed to the Ni-kshay Mitra scheme and ten beneficiaries have so far receive nutritional support.

Ni-kshay Mitra scheme allows individuals and organisations to adopt TB patients and provide nutritional support to them.

Hokishe Chophy, DPO, DAPCU spoke on stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and presented a detailed report and statistics on people with HIV.