Rohit Shishodia
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), in association with NGOs and schools, will organize an awareness program on TB control on March 24, 2019, in the IMA headquarters in Delhi. The awareness program has been aptly titled as IMA Ka Nara, TB Se Chutkara. A song will be also released during the program.

On the eve of World TB Day (March 25), Dr Ajay Lekhi, Convener for the Tuberculosis Program at IMA, told DTMT, “This program is related to World TB Day that includes participation of doctors, NGOs, college and school students. This awareness program will be held in all IMA branches across India. Around 3.5 lakh doctors will spread awareness about this biggest killing infectious disease.”

“The motive of involving students is that they can further spread awareness about TB in society and stay healthy. In fact, this initiative is a kind of launch of awareness about TB. We have planned to spread a word about the disease in schools in future. This is the only way that TB can be eradicated till 2025,” added Dr Lekhi.

Dr Ramesh Dutta, Finance Secretary, IMA, told DTMT: “The NGOs with whom we will associate, help TB patients through diagnosis of the disease and providing monetary help and medicines. We have also invited TB patients to tell them we are ready to help them. We will tell them TB is curable and it should not be hidden.”

When asked about the increasing numbers of TB cases despite several preventive measures taken by the government, Dr Dutta said that government and private sector should work together to eradicate the menace of TB.

“The problem cannot by tackled by the government alone but it is our moral duty to take part tackle the problem. It requires joint effort of government and private doctors. After all, it is the problem of the country.  We should come forward to eradicate it,” explained Dr Dutta.