ProMASS News Bureau: Mar 24, 2016:
Nagaland joined the rest of the world today in observing World Tuberculosis Day, under the theme ‘Unite to end TB.’ Organised by Revised National TB Control Programme, RNTCP, State Health and Family Welfare, the programme was held with a focus on current situation of TB in the State and how to contain the menace in the country. Addressing the gathering State TB Officer, Dr. K.T. Lotha revealed that Nagaland is among the ten high prevalent States. He said, TB is one of the most opportunistic diseases in HIV patients, and that the risk of developing TB among them is around sixty per cent. In regard to the latest TB scenario in Nagaland, Dr. Lotha informs that ever since its inception in December 2002, over twenty two thousand TB patients have been treated under various categories of DOTS treatment. He revealed that Nagaland has consistently been in the target zone for the last four years. Commemorating the day, a cycle rally was flagged off in the Capital where young cyclists from the Naga Blog Cycling Club participated.
Meanwhile, Nagaland Minister for National Highways, Nuklutoshi has said that new machines and technology can never replace the human touch and compassion in the healing process. Addressing the World TB Day programme at Mokokchung today, he said doctors and nurses hold the noblest profession for humanity and urged them to work with dedication, sincerity and humility. Later, the Minister inaugurated Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test, CBNAAT machine to detect TB bacteria at the district TB hospital. Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the occasion portrays the fast phase advancement of technology for the assistance of heath care sector, and the CBNAAT machine would greatly benefit the people in combating TB. CBNAAT is an efficient way of detecting the TB bacteria. This is the second machine to be installed in Nagaland.
