Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena launched Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials to raise awareness on tuberculosis (TB), here on Monday.
The TB Survivors and Champions of Odisha announced the formation of the Kalinga TB Survivors Network on the occasion.
“The fight against TB is an arduous one. Men and women’s quotes on the posters exemplify courage and perseverance. It is encouraging that they have taken the task of being grassroots level advocates to fight stigma and myths on TB. The initiative is really a milestone,” the Minister said and called for wide distribution of IEC materials. The IEC materials were developed by REACH, an NGO, in collaboration with the State TB Cell and the Health and Family Welfare Department with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The IEC materials have featuredg Odisha’s Ambassadors in the fight against TB, Padma Shri PrafullaKar, Padma Shri Sudarshan Pattnaik and Kuna Tripathy, on themes such as active case finding, daily regimen, DR-TB, direct benefits transfer, myths and stigma, private and public sector notification responsibility, symptoms and adherence. In addition, posters and videos featuring TB survivors sharing their experience on TB were also released.
“The engagement of community members, private sectors and others are vital in the road towards TB elimination. TB survivors quotes would benefit sufferers,” said Health Secretary Dr Promod Meherda.
TB Champion Saique Ali announced the formation of the Kalinga TB Survivors Network.
The Minister said that the formation of the network would help the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) machinery in Odisha to reach out to thousands more and help those being treated get cured.