Resubelpara: As many as 98 villages under the North Garo Hills District in Meghalaya were felicitated as ‘TB-free villages 2023’ during a programme organized by District Tuberculosis Officer, William Nagar at Mendipathar Multipurpose Co-operative Hall in Resubelpara on Thursday.
The villages were identified based on the 6 indicators outlined under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) to eliminate Tuberculosis and achieve TB-free by 2025.
98 villages from 11 PHCs of the North Garo Hills district were awarded certificates and a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi commemorating the vision of Mahatma Gandhi toward healthy villages.
It was informed during the programme that these villages that maintained TB-free status for 2 years will receive a silver Mahatma Gandhi statue and a gold statue for subsequently maintaining TB-free status for the next 3 years.
Speaking as the chief guest during the occasion, NGH’s Deputy Commissioner AK Singh lauded the health department and the stakeholders concern for their involvement in the elimination of tuberculosis.
He exhorted the need for concerted efforts of the health workers and the community for the overall achievement of a TB-free village status.
District Tuberculosis Officer for East & North Garo Hills, Dr Chrissie Pearly M Sangma highlighted the 6 indicators for TB-free village status and added that every village must adhere to the indicators and commit to eliminating tuberculosis.
“Tuberculosis is fatal but with proper treatment and moral support for the patient, the disease is curable,” added Dr CP Sangma.
Ni-kshay mitras or donors under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana were also felicitated for voluntarily providing financial support for TB patients.
