The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) Office of the District Tuberculosis Centre in Wokha organized an event commemorating World Tuberculosis Day, themed “Yes! We can end TB,” at Longsa Village Cultural Hall in Wokha District on March 24.
During the event, nine villages in Wokha, including Longsachung, Okhyeyan, Theneyan, Koio, Rusanphen, Seluku, Sankiton, Bhandari, and Mekirang, were honored with the TB free award, along with Lab technician supervisor Myingthunglo.
K. Furhesie Nyuwi, Wokha ADC lauded and congratulated the nine awarded villages, expressing gratitude to the department for organizing the awareness program. Nyuwi stressed the importance of collective action in combating TB and highlighted the government’s initiatives for free diagnosis and treatment, acknowledging the challenges in meeting India’s 2025 TB elimination goal and WHO’s target for 2030. He urged citizens to combat TB stigma and emphasized personal responsibility in seeking testing and adhering to medication.
Dr. Akum Jamir, the DTO of District TB Centre Wokha, highlighted Wokha’s exemplary performance within the state in fighting against tuberculosis. He discussed on the common symptoms of TB such as persistent cough, weight loss, fever, and sweating, emphasizing the potential transmission risk if left untreated which could infect up to 15 people annually through airborne cough droplets. Dr. Jamir stressed the importance of raising awareness to fight TB transmission and achieve in eliminating TB.
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Dr. Jamir also mentioned about the availability of GeneXpert machines in each district headquarters provided by the government for diagnosis with positive patients undergoing six months of free medication.
Additionally, he highlighted the direct benefit transfer (DBT) subsidy, where patients receive ₹500 for nutritional support and ₹750 as a travel allowance directly into their accounts. Speaking on India’s significant contribution, constituting 27% of of the global TB population, Dr. Jamir underscored the urgency of concerted efforts to address the disease.
Chopathung Humtsoe, a cured TB Patient shared his TB recovery journey where he emphasized the importance of medication and raising awareness among close ones.The event witnessed a folk song performance by Epyong Thera Okho from Longsa Village and a special number by Tsungtsutong Eloe Von. The program was chaired by Lichumo Odyuo, with an invocation prayer by Phtantsulumo Kikon Sr. Associate Pastor, vote of thanks by Yingashumi Humtsoe Nurse DTC Wokha, and a benediction by Loboni Ezung Longsa Baptist Church.
