2 Feb, Patan (Lalitpur) : Minister for Health and Population, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, has urged for making effective the campaign launched to eliminate tuberculosis by identifying the patients reaching the every doorstep.
Inaugurating the second-phase programme under ‘Tuberculosis-free Nepal Campaign’ organised at Chautara Sangachowkgadhi municipality of Sindhupalchowk today, Minister Basnet pointed out the need of diagnosing the disease first to eliminate it. He shared, “The campaign, launched three years ago to eliminate the disease, has now been implemented in additional 100 local levels.” Public awareness is the most important to cure and eliminate the disease, and the three tiers of government should work together for the same, he mentioned. Laying emphasis on the need of paying attention to prevent the disease by creating public awareness instead of treatment after suffering from disease, the Health Minister also stressed on protecting the citizens from malnutrition.
He clarified that the role of local government is important rather than federal and province governments to eliminate TB. Explaining that Nepal got victory against COVID-19 even after asking for vaccine against COVID-19, he thanked all for their engagement for the same. Director General of Department of Health Services, Dr Sangeeta Kaushal Mishra, shared that TB accounted for 50 per cent among the deceased one. She viewed that it was possible to eradicate through participation of community level for the eradication effort. Calling for increasing investment for treating the TB patients, she pledged that the Department could work consistently for capacity enhancement of the health providers.
She emphasized partnership among the NGOs, community and media and social awareness on this infectious disease to eradicate it. Director at the National Tuberculosis Control Centre, Dr Prajjwal Shrestha, shared that 229 TB patients were diagnosed yearly in Nepal. Most of the cases of TB were found in Bagmati, Madhesh and Lumbini provinces, according to him. Chautara Sangachowkgadhi Municipality Mayor Krishna Prasad Sapkota pledged to prioritize this campaign in the municipality’s policy, budget and programme.
