In a concerted effort to combat tuberculosis (TB) and create healthier communities, a state-level program aimed at establishing TB-free panchayats was launched in Tripura on Wednesday (May 24) by Mayor Dipak Majumder.
The inaugural event, themed “We Will Eradicate TB,” took place at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan, and was jointly organized by the National Health Mission (NHM) and the State Health and Family Welfare Department.
Mayor Dipak Majumder, accompanied by Chief Secretary JK Sinha, Chief Health Secretary Dr. Debashish Basu, and other prominent officials, emphasized the importance of building TB-free panchayats in the state.
The primary objective of the program is to identify and address challenges associated with TB and ultimately eradicate the disease from the panchayats.
This initiative aligns with Mayor Dipak Majumdar’s call for the establishment of Prime Minister TB Mukt Panchayat, as part of the “Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” aimed at eliminating TB nationwide.
To qualify as TB-free, a gram panchayat must meet specific criteria, including diagnosing at least 50 individuals with TB annually per 1,000 population.
The successful achievement of these goals will ensure that at least 80 percent of the designated gram panchayat has met the required standards.
As part of the efforts, the Nikshaya Poshan Yojana offers a financial assistance of Rs 500 to every TB patient undergoing treatment.
Mayor Dipak Majumder, addressing the gathering, highlighted the remarkable advancements made in Tripura’s healthcare sector over the past five years.
He expressed confidence in the state’s potential to eliminate TB by 2025, in line with the substantial developments witnessed in the health sector.
Significantly, an important milestone was reached on July 8, 2022, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Union Ministry of Panchayatiraj and the Central TB Division.
The MoU aims to establish TB-free panchayats, contributing to the broader national goal of eliminating TB in India by 2025.
According to a press release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the MoU sets the stage for collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships between various ministries, with the ultimate aim of raising awareness and combating the stigma and discrimination associated with TB at the grassroots level.
The extensive network of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies across the country will be utilized to achieve the objective of a TB-free India.
The signing of the MoU represents a significant milestone in the journey toward a TB-free India and lays the foundation for coordinated efforts at the local level.
It underscores the importance of mass awareness in rural areas and harnesses the potential of the Panchayati Raj Institutions to eliminate TB by 2025.
With the launch of the state-level program and the implementation of strategic initiatives, Tripura aims to be at the forefront of the battle against TB, demonstrating its commitment to building healthier communities and eradicating this infectious disease by 2025 as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier.
