Keonjhar, Odisha
The recently released National Health Profile (NHP) 2018 indicated that Odisha has indicated some really grim facts on Tuberculosis (TB) in Odisha, making it the number one killer in the State. Odisha’s TB treatment success rate (72%) is below the national average rate of 79 per cent in 2017, and the number of TB cases notified in 2017 in Odisha posted a whopping around 61 per cent jump over 2016, the highest such growth in the country. The report also indicates that Keonjhar is among the top four districts with largest number of TB cases.
Mr Ashish Thakare, Collector & District Magistrate of Keonjhar places great importance on this and urges corporates to support the cause of generating awareness on the disease. In association with District Health TB Cell, Essar Foundation has begun an intensive TB awareness and education drive across villages of Essar’s presence. The team conducted two village-wide awareness camps this month in Dabuna and Katupali village to begin with.
Simple educational and interactive sessions were held by local health (ASHA) workers and Anganwadi workers about the causes, symptoms, latest detection methods, government facilities and support to TB patients, care and precaution. People in large numbers participated and got more information on the latest method of sputum test, medicine intake, services provided by ASHA worker and early diagnosis. Essar Foundation-managed ambulance-cum-mobile medical unit has been, for the last two years, bringing primary healthcare to the doorsteps of the villagers. The participants of the drive were also informed that this medical unit makes medicines for patients with TB available with the support of village ASHA workers.
During the camps two short films were also shown to the participants on TB awareness and sensitization. Educational materials were distributed to all participants. Such drives will continue to enhance the awareness of people of all ages against the dreaded disease.​