Dr Shanpru appeals to traditional healers to work together with Govt to eliminate TB disease in Meghalaya

SHILLONG, AUG 25: The office of the District Tuberculosis Officer, East Khasi Hills District today conducted training and sensitization programme to Traditional Healers on TB elimination at Sohra Community Health Centre, Shella Bholaganj Block.

In her keynote address, Dr B. Shanpru, District Tuberculosis Officer, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong with regards to TB diseases as it is caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease, there are two types of TB disease ie. Pulmonary and Extra-Pulmonary.

She further explains on the signs and symptoms and encourages the traditional healers to screened the patients according to the following signs ie. cough and fever for two weeks or more, loss of weight, loss of appetite, night sweats, blood stained sputum, chills. She then informed the participants to refer such patients with those symptoms to the nearest health centers for TB Testing for diagnosis and treatment.

Shanpru explained that there are different tests that are used for TB testing like TRUENAAT, CBNAAT, sputum microscopy which are free of cost at all TB Testing Units. She also explained that TB is curable, if the patients take the medication properly and complete the course of treatment.

She appeals to all the traditional healers to work and cooperate together with the government so that we can eliminate TB disease and make the country free from TB.
The programme ends with the distribution of certificates to all the Traditional Healers who participated in the programme .
On the same day, The Office of Sub Divisional Medical Officer, Sohra held a “Program of
Reorientation for VHC members on IEC Register or VHC apps” at the office of Sub Divisional
Officer. Sohra.

Also as the way towards TB elimination by 2025 Dr. B. Shanpru sensitized the members of the village health councils on TB Free Villages and announced that the Government will be giving a TB Free Village Certificate and a Mementoes to those villages who will qualify the criteria for the same.