DHARAMSHALA: This year’s TB day, observed on 24 March, witnessed many interesting community wide initiatives of shared responsibility and collaborative participation in various Tibetan settlements to reduce the spread of TB. The Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration and Delek Hospital jointly marked the World TB day at Dharamsala with the support of Stop TB Italy. A number of activities like basketball match at Gangkyi along with basketball match and TB quiz competition were organized in some nearby schools.

These interactive activities were aimed to generate greater awareness about Tuberculosis particularly Multi drug resistant TB (MDR TB) in our community especially among the youths. Dr. Tsetan Dorjee Sadhutsang, Chief medical officer of Delek Hospital spoke about the significance of TB day during the final basketball match held at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala. Health Kalon, Dr. Tsering Wangchuk visited Tibetan settlements in Bir and Chauntra on 24 March, 2013 and created awareness about TB to the general public and the school children.

 In addition to the awareness activities at Dharamsala, all the Department of Health’s health centers in different Tibetan settlements organised numerous activities to mark TB day with the cooperation of  settlement officers, doctors from local TMAI centers and the school teachers. These activities were facilitated by the health staffs of respective health centers.

The TB related events at the settlements included distribution of TB brochures, demonstration of TB posters, discussions and health talks about TB with the local public, school based quiz and sport’s competition. Many of the health centers also invited TB medical specialists from nearby Indian Government hospitals and district TB officers to talk about their expertise regarding TB prevention and control to the public.

Issued by:
Department of Health,
Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala