One untreated TB patient can infect 10, warns District TB Officer in Kohima 

District TB Officer, Dr Chibenthung Kithan, highlighted tuberculosis (TB) as a significant public health challenge during an Awareness and Screening Programme held at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kohima. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Kithan noted that one untreated TB patient could infect up to 10 people in a year. He also pointed out that India has the highest estimated TB burden in the world.

Dr. Kithan went on to explain the two main types of TB—pulmonary and extra-pulmonary—and emphasized the critical importance of early detection and treatment. He also shared that the 100-day TB campaign, launched in Nagaland on December 7, is focused on accelerating efforts to identify undiagnosed cases and prevent new infections. Screening camps and awareness programs are being conducted in villages, urban wards, and government offices across the state.

As part of the 100-day TB campaign under the TB Mukt Bharat initiative, the awareness programme aimed to raise public consciousness about TB prevention and treatment. In his keynote address, Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Kumar Ramnikant, IAS, described TB as a “silent killer” that remains undetected without proper testing. He urged attendees to play an active role in spreading awareness, emphasizing that while TB is curable, a lack of awareness continues to be a significant barrier to its eradication. “Taking a pledge has no meaning unless each of us ensures that information reaches our family, friends, and neighbours. Only through collective determination can we eliminate TB,” Ramnikant said.

Dr Kithan also spoke about the Nikshay Mitra initiative, which encourages community participation in supporting TB patients. Under this initiative, donors, known as Nikshay Mitras, adopt TB patients to provide nutritional support, reduce stigma, and ease their financial burdens during treatment. The initiative aims to foster greater societal involvement in the fight against TB.

Reiterating the importance of collective action, Dr Kithan urged the community to join hands in eliminating TB, stating that the medical department alone cannot succeed in the fight. The event was attended by officers and staff of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, with a free TB testing camp organized for all attendees, further contributing to the campaign’s goal of early detection.

MT