TB curable, but effort not enough

Tuberculosis is curable, but the current effort to find, treat and cure everyone who gets ill with the disease is not sufficient. World Tuberculosis day 2014 with its focus to reach the 3 million was observed with a poster competition by the Manipal College of nursing, Manipal and School of Nursing, Kasturba Hospital Manipal, Department of Microbiology and Community Medicine KMC, Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

On this occasion, 76 participants displayed their creative poster on the theme to create public awareness regarding tuberculosis and its management. The chief guest Dr. (Col) M. Dayananda, the Medical superintendent and Chief Operating Officer Kasturba Hospital Manipal inaugurated the program. Best two posters were awarded. The posters were made available to be viewed by patients and patients’ party in the medical OPD first floor Kasturba Hospital Manipal.

Later in the afternoon, public awareness programme was conducted at Tiger circle with a street play enacted by the school of nursing students. It gave a glimpse to the public regarding TB as a treatable, curable and also curbing social stigma which is a major challenge today. The occasion was graced by the District TB officerDr Vishwanath, Rotary  Club president Dr. Girija, Estate officer of MU Mr.Jaivital,  Dr. Anice George (Dean MCON),  Dr. Kasturi R Adiga ( Principal MSON),  Dr ChiranjayMukhopadyayHOD of Department of Microbiology KMC Manipal, Dr. Veena Kamath, (HoD Community Medicine) KMC and  faculty members  of MCON, Microbiology and Community Medicine KMC Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The events were coordinated by the following team members Dr. Elsa Sanatombi Devi, Dr Chiranjay Mukhopadyay, Dr Vishnu Prasad S, Dr KiranChawla, Mr.Sashidhara YN, Ms. Bharathi Nayak, MS. Shalini Nayak and Dr. Iswari, Manipal Academy of Higher Education in collaboration with Rotary Club Udupi, Manipal. Public need to remember that TB is treatable and is 100% curable. It is our collective efforts to mobilize our social and political commitment towards a TB free country someday.