KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 2
Minister for Health and Population, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, has urged for making the campaign launched to eliminate tuberculosis effective by identifying patients reaching every doorstep.
Inaugurating the second-phase program under the 'Tuberculosis-free Nepal Campaign' organized at Chautara Sangachowkgadhi municipality of Sindhupalchowk today, Minister Basnet pointed out the need to diagnose the disease first to eliminate it.
He shared, "The campaign, launched three years ago to eliminate the disease, has now been implemented in an additional 100 local levels." Public awareness is crucial for curing and eliminating the disease, and the three tiers of government should work together for the same, he mentioned.
Emphasizing the need to pay attention to preventing the disease by creating public awareness rather than relying solely on treatment after suffering from the disease, the Health Minister also stressed on protecting citizens from malnutrition.
He clarified that the role of local government is more important than that of the federal and provincial governments in eliminating TB. Explaining that Nepal achieved victory against COVID-19 even without initially having access to vaccines against COVID-19, he thanked everyone for their engagement in the effort.
Director General of the Department of Health Services, Dr. Sangeeta Kaushal Mishra, shared that TB accounted for 50 percent of the deceased. She viewed that eradication was possible through the participation of the community level in eradication efforts.
Calling for increased investment in treating TB patients, she pledged that the Department could consistently work on capacity enhancement of health providers. She emphasized partnership among NGOs, communities, 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 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 program.
