Meghalaya has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving a TB-free status, with the Health Department intensifying efforts through a focused 100-day campaign and community-driven interventions.
Speaking at the World TB Day programme held here on Tuesday, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla highlighted significant progress in public health, noting a 56 per cent reduction in maternal mortality, bringing the state below the national average. He said similar sustained efforts are being directed towards eliminating tuberculosis.
The Health Minister urged citizens to cooperate with health authorities, warning that discontinuing TB treatment midway can lead to multi-drug resistant TB, extending treatment duration and complicating recovery. He also encouraged people to undergo testing and avail government support, including ₹1,000 monthly assistance for patients.
Shylla emphasised that tuberculosis is preventable and curable with early detection.
Under the Government of India’s intensified 100-day TB-Free India campaign, the state is adopting targeted screening, AI-enabled portable X-rays, and community participation to identify cases early, especially among vulnerable groups.
DHS (MI) Dr. JS Momin said frontline workers and village health communities play a crucial role in bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the public by promoting awareness, early testing, and patient support.
Meanwhile, National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme Assistant Programme Officer Dr. Amica J Rynjah revealed that around 80 per cent of villages in Meghalaya have been declared TB-free, with several receiving Gold and Silver status for sustaining the achievement over consecutive years.
The government will prioritise high-risk populations and remote areas during the campaign, while also encouraging community members to act as Nikshay Mitras to provide nutritional and emotional support to patients.
She stressed that eliminating TB requires a collective effort, with greater awareness, reduced stigma, and active public participation key to achieving a TB-free Meghalaya.