Baharagora MLA Kunal Sarangi released the impact report on a multi-stakeholder movement for a TB-Free Baharagora at Shishu Udyan.
The movement was launched on March 24 last year on the occasion of World TB Day. The meeting was organised by REACH as part of the Call to Action Project with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The report summarises TB-related efforts in Baharagora since the campaign and describes how the involvement of an elected representative can trigger and accelerate efforts for a TB-free constituency. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sarangi said, “We are confident that through the TB-Free Baharagora movement, we have been able to demonstrate how the involvement of all key stakeholders can help ensure people have access to information about TB and TB services.”
Appreciating the efforts of those involved in the movement, District TB Officer, Dr. Prabhakar Kumar Bhagat said, “We need to continue this work and develop sustainable TB-Free models to achieve our dream of a TB-free society.” TB survivors-turned-Champions in the constituency also launched the Baharagora chapter of TEJ (TB Elimination from Jharkhand) on the occasion. Sushma Mahali, one of the TB Champions leading the efforts of the mission, who has provided support to nearly 70 people affected by TB said, “If more TB survivors join me and become TB Champions, we can work together in the community and end TB and the stigma associated with it.” The meeting was also attended by other key stakeholders including Kamal Club members, JSLPS, Sahiyas, PRI members, Block Development Officers, BEEO and others. The efforts towards a TB-Free constituency began last year with a stakeholders’ meeting led by Shri Sarangi and involved members of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the area, followed by the official launch of the mission TB-Free Baharagora.
In November, a micro-plan and active case finding (ACF) efforts across all 65 sub-centres of the constituency were rolled out. Earlier this month, a mobile van for TB diagnosis was flagged off by the MLA.
