Shillong: The Meghalaya government is roping in several women Self-help groups (SHGs) to fight the menace of tuberculosis (TB) in the state. Though declining, the TB death rates are still hovering around five to six per cent in the state over the past four years.
According to Ramkumar S, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), these SHGS have helped intensify TB testing, leading to a surgeon in presumptive TB examination.
Here it should be also noted that Meghalaya’s efforts to enhance TB detection have yielded a significant result, with a 126 per cent increase in presumptive TB examinations, according to recent government data.
With Meghalaya being primarily a matriarchal society, each household in the villages has at least one member who is a part of the women SHGs and wields considerable influence in the family.
These SHGs have built a strong network across the state and are encouraging villagers to get screened for TB.
Within one SHG, one woman is appointed as a community gender health activist (CGHA). Each village has a CGHA that identifies likely TB patients and sends them for screening to the nearest health centre.
These CGHAs are supporting the ASHA workers which has led to a surge in TB screening. Last year, 1911 people per lakh were tested for TB, up from 845 people per lakh in 2015.
Meghalaya has also roped in state celebrities and social media influencers to promote the fight against TB through the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP).
All seven districts have appointed District TB ambassadors. Besides 10 SM influencers are TB ambassadors and actively promoting health awareness through Instagram and YouTube. The ‘All Faith Form’ too was mobilized to leverage religious leaders in the fight against TB.
The 100-day TB elimination campaign is being implemented in five districts of East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills.
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