Thiruvananthapuram, July 24 (IANS). Kerala’s ambitious campaign to eradicate TB has received huge support at the grassroots level. Kudumbashree, the state’s largest women’s community network, has joined hands with the health department to strengthen the campaign for a TB-free Kerala.
As part of the government’s 100-day intensive campaign, the State TB Cell has started equipping Kudumbashree officials with the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver awareness messages to the communities. Early detection and timely treatment in communities are the most powerful weapons against this disease.
Leveraging Kudumbashree’s widespread presence in villages and urban areas, the government hopes to be able to identify people with symptoms at an early stage, encourage them to get tested and ensure that those diagnosed complete their treatment without any interruption.
During the training programme, the officials were given information about the symptoms of tuberculosis, its modes of spread, available diagnostic facilities, treatment protocols and importance of nutrition in recovery. Special emphasis was also placed on removing the stigma associated with tuberculosis, which often leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
The participants were also introduced to the TB Mukt Bharat mobile application, which supports the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program and is helpful in strengthening community participation.
At the end of the program, Kudumbashree officials pledged to actively cooperate in the TB eradication campaign of the state by spreading awareness and encouraging people not to ignore symptoms or delay in seeking medical help.
Health officials believe that community participation is extremely important for Kerala to achieve its goal of eliminating tuberculosis. With thousands of local groups and unprecedented grassroots presence, Kudumbashree is expected to become one of the strongest community partners of this campaign.
Kudumbashree, started in 1998 by the Government of Kerala, is one of the largest women’s self-help networks in the world, with over 45 lakh members organized through local groups. Apart from poverty alleviation, it plays a vital role in livelihood generation, public health, nutrition, sanitation, social development and community mobilization, making it a natural partner for statewide public health campaigns such as TB-free Kerala.
–IANS
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