SENAPATI: The District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC), Senapati under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) of the District Health Society observed the 45th World TB Day on Thursday at the CMO Conference Hall, Senapati. The event marked the launch of the second phase of the “Jan Jan Ka Rakhe Dhyaan, TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan” 100-day campaign in the district.
Chief Medical Officer of Senapati, Sumpi Percy, attended the programme as Chief Guest, while Helen Shimray, Medical Superintendent of District Hospital, Senapati, was the Guest of Honour.
Delivering the keynote address, District TB Officer, L. Muanching highlighted the progress of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan launched in December 2024 across 347 high-priority districts in 33 states and Union Territories, which was later expanded to all districts after March 2025.
She said Senapati district participated in the first phase of the 100-day campaign from September to December last year. During the campaign, ASHA workers identified 27,313 vulnerable individuals, of whom 8,228 were screened for TB. A total of 869 symptomatic samples were collected and tested using NAAT, leading to the detection of 13 MTB cases, of which two were transferred out while the rest were initiated on treatment.
Muanching noted that many asymptomatic vulnerable individuals could not be screened earlier due to the lack of a handheld X-ray machine and transportation facilities. However, the district has now received the long-awaited handheld X-ray machine, which is ready for use. She appealed for mobility support from the district administration, including vehicles such as a mobile medical unit or ambulance, to reach vulnerable populations in remote areas.
According to district data, 168 TB patients were recorded in 2025, including 82 microbiologically confirmed (MC) and 86 clinically diagnosed (CD) cases. In 2026, up to March 25, the district has recorded 41 TB patients, including 17 MC and 24 CD cases.
The second phase of the 100-day TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched nationwide on March 24, aims to detect missing TB cases through proactive screening with X-ray and NAAT testing, reduce TB deaths through improved patient care and nutritional support, prevent new cases through TB preventive treatment, and strengthen community participation to reduce stigma and improve health-seeking behaviour.
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Addressing the gathering, Helen Shimray commended ASHA facilitators and ASHA workers for identifying more than 27,000 vulnerable individuals and screening over 800 people. She noted that while TB cases in the district have significantly declined, the presence of active cases in 35 high-risk villages and wards remains a concern.
She stressed that eliminating TB is not solely the responsibility of the health department and called for collective efforts involving civil society organisations, community leaders, the Senapati District Students Association and the Senapati District Women’s Association.
Speaking on the occasion, Sumpi Percy emphasised that the observance of World TB Day serves as a reminder that tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest diseases today. He said TB is now curable with proper medication and early diagnosis, urging people to seek screening whenever symptoms appear.
The CMO also highlighted the importance of identifying high-risk populations under the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and stressed the need to strengthen TB screening services in all Primary Health Centres in the district.
During the programme, a TB Champion shared her personal testimony on successfully completing treatment through the DOTS programme under the District TB Centre.
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The event also saw the distribution of awards to health centres for their performance in patient entry on the NIKSHAY portal. Tadubi PHC secured the first position with 1,526 entries, followed by PHC Oinam Hill with 1,312 entries, and PHC Phaibung with 1,269 entries. Among Health and Wellness Centres, HWC PHSC Lairouching ranked first with 445 entries, followed by HWC PHSC Punanamei with 416, and HWC PHSC Shajouba with 374 entries.