Punjab Newsline, Shimla, September 18-
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the two-day meeting of the National Task Force under the NTEP here today, in which TB experts across the country are participating. On this occasion, the CM launched the offline mode of the ‘Meri TB Ki Kahani Phase-II’ initiative, aimed at dispelling stigmas associated with TB and creating public awareness about the disease. Himachal Pradesh is the first State in the country to launch the second phase of this campaign besides being host to the meeting for the second time.
The CM epressed confidence that valuable recommendations in the workshop would be instrumental in combating this dreaded disease. “The State Government is extending all possible support to eradicate TB, with around 15,000 TB patients being treated annually in the State. The efforts made by Himachal Pradesh in tackling TB have been recognized at the national level,” he remarked.
Over the past two years, molecular testing facilities have been introduced in the State for early detection of TB, and artificial intelligence enabled portable X-ray machines have been made available in five districts of the State and this service would also be expanded to remaining districts soon, he stated.