Manipur is in an alarming situation owing to the acute shortage of water, as disease or sickness will increase when there is water scarcity, Health Minister Sapam Ranjan said on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day 2023 observed at JNIMS, Imphal on Friday under the theme - 'Yes we can end TB'. He also said a few days of rainfall will cause flooding in the state.
"Shortage of water affects human health... Disease or sickness will increase when there is shortage of water... Also, the state is in an alarming situation, as five days of rainfall will cause flooding in the state," the minister said.
By 2050 the world will face challenges of water shortage, as per reports, but it has already started in Manipur, the minister said, pointing out that the state government has started taking up various initiatives to provide water like the irrigation lift project of Loktak for providing water to the public.
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"Due to deforestation in the hill areas, the catchment of rivers has become dry and rivers are drying. It is not only during the dry season but in rainy season too, the state will be flooded due to deforestation. When there are trees, all systems or cycles will maintain themselves but those natural cycles have been degraded," he lamented.
Also pointing out that whatever is happening in the world relates to health, Dr Ranjan said, "One must be conscious of one's health in every step... To eradicate or eliminate such disease, a joint effort is required. Even if the government has taken up various programmes to eradicate the disease, it will be useless if no one cooperates".
The minister also stressed the importance of regular health checkups to live a healthy life, saying, "No one values health without being sick or ill”.
The World TB Day at JNIMS was organised by the National TB Elimination Programme and National Health Mission, Manipur.
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Also speaking at the occasion, Director, Manipur Health Service, Dr Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang, said early diagnosis is important for TB treatment, while TB diagnosis is not an easy task as it requires specialisation. He suggests TB trekking as many patients are migratory.
The World TB Day function at JNIMS was attended by medical superintendent JNIMS, Kh Lokeshwar; senior regional director (regional office Imphal), L Ashananda; special secretary of health and family welfare, H Roshita.
Meanwhile, Piramal Foundation in collaboration with district tuberculosis officer Tamenglong organised World Tuberculosis Day at CMO office, Tamenglong on Friday.
On the occasion, district tuberculosis officer Tamenglong Dr Guidiathiu Kahmei said there are two ways to dictate tuberculosis, including microscopic examination and Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT).
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He also said that there is incentive for ASHA workers for tuberculosis activity in villages. He said that the best thing for tuberculosis patients is to get support from ASHA as DOT providers. He informed that there are two types of tuberculosis, including pulmonary tuberculosis and extra pulmonary. Pulmonary tuberculosis is extremely dangerous and easily transmitted among the general population, he said.
Saying that villagers living in far flung areas are prone to tuberculosis as they are poor and due to malnutrition, he urged all the ASHAs to talk about Tuberculosis On Village Nutrition Day.
One tuberculosis patient who recovered from the disease gave her testimony, stating that an infected person can be completely healed of the disease the prescribed medicines are taken for six months without any break. She urged all the suspected persons to test and start taking medicine to end tuberculosis in the district. Tuberculosis medicine is free and available in the CMO office, she added.
