Shillong, Aug 8: As many as 98 villages under North Garo Hills district were felicitated as TB-free villages 2023 at a programme at Mendipathar Multipurpose cooperative Hall in North Garo Hills on Thursday.
The villages were identified based upon the six indicators outlined under National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) to eliminate Tuberculosis and achieve TB-free status by 2025.
Bronze statues of Mahatma Gandhi along with certificates were awarded to the 98 villages from 11 PHCs of North Garo Hills district, commemorating the vision of Mahatma Gandhi towards healthy villages.
It was informed during the programme that these villages who maintained TB-free status for two years will receive silver Mahatma Gandhi statue and gold statue for subsequently maintaining status for the next three years.
Speaking as the chief guest during the occasion, NGH’s Deputy Commissioner AK Singh lauded the Health department and stakeholders for their involvement towards elimination of tuberculosis. He exhorted the need for concerted efforts of the health workers and the community for the overall achievement of a TB-free village status.
District Tuberculosis Officer for East & North Garo Hills, Dr Chrissie Pearly M Sangma stressed on the 6 indicators for TB free village status and added that every village must adhere to the indicators and commit towards eliminating tuberculosis.
“Tuberculosis is fatal but with proper treatment and moral support for the patient, the disease is curable”, added Dr CP Sangma.
Ni-kshay mitras or donors under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana were also felicitated for voluntarily providing financial support for TB patients.
