District Health Society Doda celebrated World Tuberculosis Day at Community Hall Doda with a programme to raise awareness about the need to fight and eliminate tuberculosis from society.
The programme included awareness lectures, debates, a pledge, speeches and a skit by students of AMT School Doda and some practitioners. District Tuberculosis Officer/ District Immunisation Officer Doda, Dr Varsha Sharma gave a detailed presentation on the government’s initiatives through NTEP and steps taken by the District Administration.
She informed that various facilities for TB diagnosis are available in hospitals and urged people not to take symptoms lightly. Medicines and diagnostic tests are free.
Deputy Commissioner, Vishesh Mahajan, who is also Chairman of the District Tuberculosis Control Society, suggested creating more awareness, surveillance and testing of suspects in the district to fight against TB.
He appealed to people to cooperate with the health department to eradicate TB as per the government’s target to make India TB-free by 2025. He urged patients with symptoms not to hesitate and come forward for free and timely treatment in government hospitals.
Later on, certificates were distributed among the best performing health practitioners and students who participated in the programme. Some medicine kits were also distributed among patients.
The programme was attended by ADC Doda, Dr R K Bharti; SE JPDCL, Bishan Das; CMO, Dr Hamid Zargar; CAO, Anil Gupta; DIO DIPR Doda, Mohd Ashraf Wani; DSWO, Tariq Qazi; MS Associated Hospital GMC Doda, Dr Yudhvir; Dy CMO, Dr Om Kumar, doctors, health workers and students of AMT School Doda.
The programme was managed by CMO Doda, Dr Hamid Zargar along with DTO/ DIO, Dr Varsha Sharma and her team.