World Tuberculosis Day was observed on March 24 each year to raise public awareness and understanding about one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers, TB, and its devastating health, social, and economic impact on people around the world.

The Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, organized an awareness program on March 23, 2024, at Labour Colony, Pragathi Nagar Manipal, from 5.30 to 6.30 pm as part of World Health Day 2024. The awareness program (Mime) was hosted by the NSS unit of Manipal College of Nursing and was based on the theme ‘Yes! We can end TB' to raise public awareness about tuberculosis.

The awareness program encompasses the signs and symptoms, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis. Mime emphasized early identification of the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, dietary management, and facilities available from the government to the public. It also highlighted the importance of drug therapy. The program was followed by a demonstration of hand hygiene. Around 90 residents of the colony were part of the program.

Mrs. Janet Alva, Assistant Professor, Medical Surgical Nursing Department, MCON, MAHE, gave the concluding remarks and answered the queries raised by the participants. The program came to an end by acknowledging the support of the local leader, Mr Yathish Kumar, Alevoor Panchayat President, Bhimappa and Hanumappa in charge of Ambedkar Bhawan, Mrs Savitha, Asha worker, Ms. Sharada, Anganwadi teachers of Labour colony Pragathi Nagar. All the participants were provided with refreshments as a kind gesture from our end.

Overall, the program was coordinated by Mrs. Janet Alva, Assistant Professor, Dr. Soumya Christabel, Assistant Professor Senior Scale, Mr. Anil Raj, Assistant Professor, Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal, and NSS unit of MCON under the guidance of Dr. Jyothi Chakrabarty, Professor and Head of Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCON, MAHE.

On behalf of the Tuberculosis Awareness Program, the Department of Community Health Nursing and students of 4th year BSc Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal, aired a radio awareness program on Tuberculosis and its prevention on March 23rd, 2024, at 10 am. The program was broadcasted by Community Radio, Manipal, at 90.4 MHz on March 24th, 2024, at 4.15 pm and re-telecasted on March 25th, 2024, at 12:15 pm. The event was guided by Dr. Malathi G Nayak, Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE.

The department also organized a role play on tuberculosis and its prevention on March 26, 2024, from 8.30 to 9.15 am at the Out-Patient Department of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. The objective of the role play is to sensitize the public on health and wellbeing, which was commenced with the welcome address by Ms Rangini Nayak. An interactive session on tuberculosis, its signs and symptoms, and its management & prevention was conducted by a 4th-year BSc Nursing student. Health education Charts related to the management of Tuberculosis were also explained. The session was concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Crystal Noronha, a final year BSc Nursing student. The program was conducted by final year BSc Nursing students under the guidance of Ms. Christina Esther. C, Lecturer, Department of Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal. The program was conferred by Ms. Shaina Andrade, 4th year BSc Nursing student, MCON, MAHE, Manipal.

As part of World TB Day 2024, the faculty of the Department of Community Health Nursing, and 4th year BSc Nursing students of MCON conducted a Seminar on “Updates on TB and its Management “on March 27, 2024, between 02.30 pm and 04.00 pm.

The program started with a welcome speech by Ms. Christina Esther, C., Lecturer, Department of Community Health Nursing. Dr. Ashwini Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Community Medicine, KMC, Manipal and Dr Shivdas Rajaram Naik, Assistant Professor of, the Department of Infectious Disease, KMC, Manipal, were the chief guests of the program. Dr. Ashwini Kumar addressed the students on the Updates on TB and its Prevention Among the students. Dr. Shivdas Rajaram Naik expressed his thoughts on the identification and treatment of tuberculosis. The session was concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Crystal Noronha, a final year BSc Nursing student. The program was coordinated by Ms. Christina Esther C., Lecturer, under the guidance of Dr. Shashidhara YN, Professor and Head, Department of Community Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal, and with the support of department faculty and IVth year students.

This program contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health & Well Being) & 4 (Quality Education).