Dharamshala Marks ‘World TB Day’Thursday, 26 Mar 2009, 10:40 a.m.

Kalon Paljor Tsering Chope (2nd from L) and Dr. Santa Mole (3rd from L), addressing a press conference to observe the “World TB Day” in Dharamshala, on 24 March 2009/Photo: Sangjey Kep

Dharamshala: Hygiene, balanced diet and precautionary methods are the ways to prevent Tuberculosis, said Kalon Paljor Tsering Chope, kalon for the Department of Health, marking the “World TB Day” in Dharamsala on 25 March.Dr Santa Mole, director, International Development Cooperation of Italian Embassy in New Delhi and Dr. Guisi, coordinator of Italian Association for Solidarity Among People (AISPO) attended the function.Kalon Paljor Tsering said the Tuberculosis has been the major health problem in the Tibetan exiled community in the last 50 years.But the disease has been controlled due to effective health care measures. He thanked Italian organization, Italian Association for Solidarity among People (AISPO), Indian Government and the staffs of the Delek hospital for their efforts in bring TB under control.He emphasised the need to prevent other communicable diseases like HIV AIDS.He also said that it is very important to check the disease right from beginning by taking regular medication. In his address, Dr. Tsering Dhondup recommended that one should take precautionary methods while coming in contact a TB affected patient.He said that the disease is found mostly among the poor people, who do not get proper diet and good sanitation. Other factors are lack of proper ventilation and sunlight. Mr Dawa Phunkyi, secretary, Tibetan Delek Hospital, said at present the number of TB cases in our community have decreased as compared to past years.The health department and Delek hospital also organised a free TB check up camp and and an exhibition in Mcleodganj to mark the day.