MLA Dahiya flags off awareness rally for 'TB-Free India Campaign'
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, December 7, 2024: The Punjab Government and the Department of Health and Family Welfare launched the ‘TB-Free India Campaign’ today, marking the start of a 100-day mission to eradicate tuberculosis. The campaign began with an awareness rally flagged off by Advocate Rajnish Dahiya, MLA for Ferozepur Rural, from the Civil Hospital.
Dr Gurmez Ram Goraya, Deputy Medical Commissioner, and Dr Satinder Oberoi, District TB Officer, honoured the chief guest with floral bouquets. Participants took a pledge to contribute to the campaign's success.
Speaking at the event, MLA Rajnish Dahiya highlighted that this initiative has been rolled out in 18 high-priority districts in Punjab and will continue until March 2025. He urged the public to cooperate with health teams to help eliminate TB.
Dr Gurmez Ram Goraya and Dr Satinder Oberoi emphasized that under the guidance of Civil Surgeon Dr Rajwinder Kaur, 377 health teams will work to identify suspected TB patients, conduct tests, and provide treatment. The campaign will focus on creating awareness through media and social outreach, screening economically weaker populations, and reducing TB mortality rates.
To achieve these goals, district administration involvement and collaboration with departments such as Rural Development and Panchayats, Social Security, Women and Child Development, and Education will play a key role.
Special screening camps will be organized for vulnerable groups, including prisoners, residents of old age homes and orphanages, construction workers, stone crushers, slum dwellers, food handlers, and dialysis patients.
Present at the event were Dr Naveen Sethi, Dr Pankaj Gupta, Dr Akash Aggarwal, Pharmacy Officer Rajkumar, Senior LT Arun Kumar, TB Counsellor Monica, and several other health staff and officials committed to the campaign.