Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Media has pivotal role to play in spreading awareness about TB: Dr. Abhinav Trikha
Health Department Punjab organizes an awareness event on the occasion of World TB day
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 22, 2024: On the occasion of World TB day, Health and Family Welfare department Punjab organized an awareness event in the directorate office of the health department Punjab here in Chandigarh.
The event was chaired by Secretary Health cum MD NHM Punjab Dr. Abhinav Trikha and Regional Director Ministry of Health and Family Welfare government of India Dr. Amarjit Kaur attended the event as a special guest.
In his address Dr Abhinav Trikha said as we all are aware, India has set an ambitious target of eliminating TB by 2025. The Central Government as well as the Punjab Government has been working tirelessly for years to achieve this goal.
"Punjab has an effective infrastructure in place for timely diagnosis and providing healthcare access to the patients throughout the treatment.
Dr. Trikha also emphasized the role of media in spreading awareness regarding TB as one can prevent TB by being aware about this disease.
Dr. Trikha instructed the officials to work in tandem to achieve the desired target of TB elimination within the set timeframe and he also gave away appreciation certificates to the NGOs and other stakeholders who made tremendous efforts in the field of TB elimination. The winners of the Slogan writing competition and quiz competition held during the event were also given prizes by the Secretary Health.
Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Adarshpal Kaur explained in detail regarding the symptoms, preventive steps and treatment of TB. She also exhorted everyone to spread the message so that the public at large can be made aware in order to eliminate this disease.
Director Family Welfare Dr. Hitinder Kaur said that in Punjab annually around 56,000 patients are diagnosed with TB and it is a leading cause of death among infectious diseases. Several measures are being taken to eliminate this disease and we are hopeful to achieve the target of TB Elimination by 2025." she added.
Director Health Services (ESI) Dr Amarjit Singh, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, Audio Visual Officer Santesh Kumari, Shivinder Singh Sehdev, PO-IEC, BCC, Yugesh Kumar consultant policy planning, other health officials and members of the supporting NGOs were also present. in the event