Press Release
Press Release from Chief Medical Officer, Pakyong District
Information & Public Relations Department
District-Level Meeting on TB Mukt Panchayat.
Pakyong, February 7: A district-level meeting on TB Mukt Panchayat was successfully conducted on 7th February 2026 at Rurban Hall, Pakyong, with the objective of strengthening grassroots-level action for tuberculosis elimination through active involvement of Panchayats, ASHA workers, and community stakeholders. The meeting was attended by Panchayat representatives from Pakyong block, ASHA workers, and health officials.
The programme commenced with a formal welcome by Mr. Om Kumar Chettri, Senior Treatment Organizer, who served as the Master of Ceremony. He welcomed the dignitaries and participants with khada and briefly outlined the objectives and significance of the meeting in achieving TB-free Panchayats.
The technical session was led by Dr. Nagendra Gurung, State Tuberculosis Officer, STBC Gangtok, who served as the key resource person. He delivered a comprehensive presentation covering tuberculosis as a disease, its modes of transmission, preventive measures, treatment and cure, the importance of early detection, and the role of community support. He emphasised the critical role of Panchayats, ASHAs, and community stakeholders in identifying presumptive TB cases, reducing stigma, ensuring treatment adherence, and strengthening community outreach. He also explained the six key indicators required for declaring a Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) TB-free and highlighted the responsibility of Panchayats in increasing presumptive TB identification and referrals.
Dr. Sandhya Rai, District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO), Pakyong, spoke on Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) and the diagnostic tests available for its detection. She presented year-wise data on GPUs declared TB-free since 2023 and highlighted district achievements, noting that nine GPUs have been declared TB-free for the year 2026.
Ms. Ambika Pradhan, District Programme Coordinator (DPC), presented district-level data on key and vulnerable population mapping, presumptive TB screening status for 2025, and existing gaps. She highlighted that approximately 50% of the targeted presumptive TB screening remains to be completed. She further outlined the targeted action plan for DTC Pakyong for 2026, which includes outreach and screening of approximately 30,000 individuals, with a focused approach on vulnerable and high-risk populations through micro-planning and intensified field activities.
During the interactive session, Panchayat representatives shared their feedback on ward-wise Nikshay Shivir activities. They assured full cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting all TB elimination initiatives, working collectively towards the goal of “TB Free Pakyong.”
Towards the conclusion of the programme, Dr. Madan Mani Dhakal, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Pakyong, addressed the gathering. He emphasised the pivotal role of Panchayats and ASHA workers in early case detection, awareness generation, treatment adherence, and community mobilisation. He further directed the DTC Pakyong team to plan and conduct PHC-wise training-cum-meetings involving medical staff and Panchayat members to strengthen coordination and improve field-level implementation.
The meeting formally concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Mr. Om Kumar Chettri, who expressed sincere gratitude to all dignitaries, resource persons, Panchayat members, ASHAs, and participants for their active participation and commitment towards TB elimination.
The programme ended with a collective resolve to enhance district-level collaboration and accelerate progress towards achieving TB Mukt Panchayat and TB Free Pakyong.
Pakyong, February 7: A district-level meeting on TB Mukt Panchayat was successfully conducted on 7th February 2026 at Rurban Hall, Pakyong, with the objective of strengthening grassroots-level action for tuberculosis elimination through active involvement of Panchayats, ASHA workers, and community stakeholders. The meeting was attended by Panchayat representatives from Pakyong block, ASHA workers, and health officials.
The programme commenced with a formal welcome by Mr. Om Kumar Chettri, Senior Treatment Organizer, who served as the Master of Ceremony. He welcomed the dignitaries and participants with khada and briefly outlined the objectives and significance of the meeting in achieving TB-free Panchayats.
The technical session was led by Dr. Nagendra Gurung, State Tuberculosis Officer, STBC Gangtok, who served as the key resource person. He delivered a comprehensive presentation covering tuberculosis as a disease, its modes of transmission, preventive measures, treatment and cure, the importance of early detection, and the role of community support. He emphasised the critical role of Panchayats, ASHAs, and community stakeholders in identifying presumptive TB cases, reducing stigma, ensuring treatment adherence, and strengthening community outreach. He also explained the six key indicators required for declaring a Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) TB-free and highlighted the responsibility of Panchayats in increasing presumptive TB identification and referrals.
Dr. Sandhya Rai, District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO), Pakyong, spoke on Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) and the diagnostic tests available for its detection. She presented year-wise data on GPUs declared TB-free since 2023 and highlighted district achievements, noting that nine GPUs have been declared TB-free for the year 2026.
Ms. Ambika Pradhan, District Programme Coordinator (DPC), presented district-level data on key and vulnerable population mapping, presumptive TB screening status for 2025, and existing gaps. She highlighted that approximately 50% of the targeted presumptive TB screening remains to be completed. She further outlined the targeted action plan for DTC Pakyong for 2026, which includes outreach and screening of approximately 30,000 individuals, with a focused approach on vulnerable and high-risk populations through micro-planning and intensified field activities.
During the interactive session, Panchayat representatives shared their feedback on ward-wise Nikshay Shivir activities. They assured full cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting all TB elimination initiatives, working collectively towards the goal of “TB Free Pakyong.”
Towards the conclusion of the programme, Dr. Madan Mani Dhakal, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Pakyong, addressed the gathering. He emphasised the pivotal role of Panchayats and ASHA workers in early case detection, awareness generation, treatment adherence, and community mobilisation. He further directed the DTC Pakyong team to plan and conduct PHC-wise training-cum-meetings involving medical staff and Panchayat members to strengthen coordination and improve field-level implementation.
The meeting formally concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Mr. Om Kumar Chettri, who expressed sincere gratitude to all dignitaries, resource persons, Panchayat members, ASHAs, and participants for their active participation and commitment towards TB elimination.
The programme ended with a collective resolve to enhance district-level collaboration and accelerate progress towards achieving TB Mukt Panchayat and TB Free Pakyong.
