Srinagar, Mar 24 : Directorate of Health Services Kashmir on Thursday celebrated World Tuberculosis Day across Kashmir hospitals with great enthusiasm and fervor.
According to a statement issued to GNS, spokesperson DHSK, Dr Mir Mushtaq said the major function was held at DTO Office Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar where from Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Shri. PK Pole flagged off walkathon at 7 a.m. towards Nehru Park end.
On the Occasion worthy Divisional Commissioner Kashmir stressed upon early diagnosis/early treatment of TB and appealed general public to avail the benefits of latest technology methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis.
The walkathon was participated by school students, NGOs, JEET officials, Health Department Medicos/paramedics, National TB Elimination staff etc.
The participants took a march from CD hospital to Nehru Park. The aim of the walk was to generate awareness among general public about the elimination of tuberculosis disease.
On the occasion Dr. Bashir Ahmad Chalko Deputy Director Headquarter Health services Kashmir, Dr SM Qadri Deputy Director Health Services Schemes Kashmir, Dr Jehanzeb Deputy Director Dentistry Health Services Kashmir, Dr Talat Jabeen Divisional Epidemiologist cum Director STDC Srinagar, Dr Jameel Ahmad Mir, CMO Srinagar were also present on the occasion. The walkathon was attended by Assistant Directors Health Services Kashmir, Block and Zonal Medical Officers, Medical officers.
This years’ TB Day theme is ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives.’ In his message, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather said that we all should join hands for the elimination of Tuberculosis as it is one of the major killers and impacts the society and drains people economically.
“World TB Day is observed each year to raise public awareness and understanding about one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers – TB and it’s devastating health, social and economic impact on people around the world,’ he said.
More recently Anantnag, Kupwara and Pulwama have shown progress of 60-80% reduction in TB cases and have claimed Gold category while Baramulla district has shown progress of about 20% and is under Bronze category along with 55 other districts in the entire country.
On World TB Day the director along with Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Kupwara and Pulwama along with concerned DTOs and STOs had gone to receive the gold medals in Delhi which were given to them by the Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
Apart from this, District Tuberculosis Control Society Srinagar under the aegis of Directorate of Health services Kashmir organized world TB day commemoration function at Govt. Dental College Srinagar and inaugurated 21-day integration of TB Care services with all Health & Wellness Centres were kick started.
On the occasion DC Srinagar Muhamaad Aijaz Assad impressed upon dignitaries to promote TB awareness campaigns and appreciated the role of District TB Centre Srinagar.
World TB Day functions were also held in other hospitals of the directorate as well where focus was laid on the prevention and early diagnosis of the TB. Functions were organized in all districts of the valley in which Deputy Commissioners, CMOs and various other officials participated. The functions were held at Anantnag, Pulwama, Gangerbal, Baramulla, Kupwara and other places and award ceremonies were also conducted. (GNS)
