Nagaland Health Officials Push for Aggressive Tuberculosis Screening

Kohima: Health officials in Kohima met Thursday to overhaul the state strategy for wiping out tuberculosis. They want more testing, better awareness, and help from private companies to hit national targets. Commissioner and Secretary for Health and Family Welfare, Anoop Khinchi, said the state must match the central government’s push for a TB-free nation.

Khinchi urged leaders to bring in more public participation through the Nikshay Mitra programme. He wants screening kiosks set up at major festivals and public events to catch cases early. He also pushed for private hospitals to host screening gear, noting, "all efforts should be directed towards achieving the objective of eliminating TB."

Dr. Akum Jamir, the State TB Officer, reported that 505 health camps have already pulled in over 30,000 visitors. These camps identified 853 cases of the disease. More than half of those patients showed no symptoms at all. The state currently manages care through a network of 133 health centres and hundreds of smaller outposts.

The department is relying on 1,379 ASHA workers to track high-risk residents across 344 villages and urban zones. Officials are also asking citizens to use the TB Mukt Bharat app for information. The meeting concluded with members taking a formal pledge to support the mission and end the stigma surrounding the disease.