News

World TB Day 2015 was celebrated in Nepal with various activities. The slogan for this year was: "Reach the 3 Million: Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone." Ministry of Health and Population, with the support of National Tuberculosis Centre organized a national event on this occasion with participation of various divisions and departments of the ministry and civil society organizations actively working in the sector of TB control. Dr. Yagya Bahadur Karki, Member of National Planning Commission was the Chief Guest of the event.

MoHP Secretary, Mr. Shanta Bahadur Shrestha expressed his commitment on behalf of the ministry to continue government’s efforts in TB elimination. He also acknowledged the fact that there is heavy reliance on external funding with regards to TB control and therefore, government is focusing on sustainability of the programme to reach out to the unreached population. The Secretary also highlighted government’s plan to scale up community DOTS programme from 11 piloted districts to all 75 districts. Director of National Tuberculosis Centre, Dr. Bikas Lamichhane expressed his satisfaction that there has been a significant increase in the idenfitication of Drug Resistant TB cases in Nepal.

Voice from the civil society was also heard during the national event. Mr. Devendra Pradhan, Civil Society Representative and President of NATA recommended for more private sector engagement to work towards combined initiatives for TB control. Some issues were also raised during the event with regards to termination of contract of National Strategic Application (a national TB control programme in Nepal) – which was funded by Global Fund and the negative implication affecting routine programme activities and the national programme being affected severely due to heavy reliance on external funding agencies. Mr. Pradhan also urged the government to take the initiative to create enabling environment to conduct TB programmes in Nepal.

The event was also covered widely by national media outlets (print, radio and television). Dr. Sushil Baral, Executive Director of HERD interacted with the media to discuss on the current situation, current and future funding environment on TB related national programmes, great success of innovative approach of TB REACH – thereby reaching the unreached population using mobile vans and GENEXpert technology.

This event also provided great opportunity for national organizations working in the sector of TB to showcase their initiatives through different stall displays.

Some snapshots of the event: