Workshop on Community Engagement and Social Mobilisation for End TB with Youth

*Workshop on Community Engagement and Social Mobilisation for End TB with Youth*

A one-day workshop on ‘Community Engagement and Social Mobilisation for End TB & TB Mukt Panchayat’ was organised under the aegis of State Task Force, Himachal Pradesh and State Tuberculosis Cell, Himachal Pradesh in collaboation with Department of Social Work and Economics, Central University of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, 10 October 2023.

The workshop was aimed at engaging the participants in ‘TB Mukt Panchayat Abhiyan’ leading to the elimination of tuberculosis from Bharat. Students of Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Research Scholars and Faculty Members of CUHP participated in the event. Nodal Officers and students of Red Ribbon Clubs located near the Dehra Campus of CUHP and Community Health Officers from Health and Wellness Centres of Jwalamukhi Block actively participated in the event.

Dr Ashok Bhardwaj, Chairperson-National Task Force, NTEP was the Key Note speaker of the Workshop. He elaborated about the various strategies for Tuberculosis elimination with emphasis on preventive treatment. Dr Ravinder Kumar, WHO Consultant-NTEP, Head Quarter-Himachal Pradesh spoke at length about the TB Disease Burden and TB Mukt Panchayat Initiative.

Dr Rajesh Kumar Sood, District Tuberculosis Officer & District Health Officer, Kangra, HP conducted participatory session on Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan & Ni-kshay Mitra. He stated that Jwalamukhi has best mobilisation in terms of Nikshay Mitras.

He emphasised upon the role of Higher Education Institution in making TB Free Bharat.

Dr Aatmika Nair, WHO-NTEP Medical Consultant-Field Level (Dharamshala) discussed at length about the various facets associated with community engagement, best practices and stigma associated with this disease. BMO Jwalamukhi Dr Sanjay Bajaj thanked the Central University for adopting three villages for strengthening TB Elimination in the area. He called upon all to join the Nikshay Mitra Initiative. Sessions were also conducted by Dr Shashi Punam, Prof. Asutosh Pradhan, Dr Shveta Sharma, Dr Jaikant Singh, Dr Shabab Ahmad, and Dr Digvijoy Phukan.