Himalayan Republic observed World TB day 2011

Health Research and Social Development Forum (HERD) initiated a unique event to sensitize public on Tuberculosis (TB) by lighting 7,000 butter candles to pay tribute to those died due to TB last year in Nepal though TB deaths are largely preventable. 

Kathmandu, Nepal 

On the eve of World TB Day 2011 (23rd march) hundreds of people wearing white t-shirt reading the slogan “ON THE MOVE AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS” gathered at the heart of the Capital City Kathmandu. The event was organised to pay tribute to those 7,000 people who died of TB last year. The event also aimed to build public awareness about TB disease. They did so by lightening 7,000 butter candles and reading out the Patient's Charter for TB Care - Rights and Responsibilities. Nepal's National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) estimates a 5,000 to 7,000 deaths every year due to TB - 14 to 19 lives per day - TB is regarded as one of the public health problems in Nepal.

The event was organised by HERD and led by people with TB and TB/HIV in coordination with NTP and National Association of PLWHA (NAP+N) along with TB volunteers. 

Considering the problem of TB in Nepal and deaths associated to it, the event demonstrated solidarity on the move against TB and showed commitment to transform fights towards elimination by implementing the Patient's Charter for TB Care in a patient-friendly environment. A clear message went out in the evening that TB is a curable disease and to cure the disease we all must ensure a patient-centered TB services. The crowd voiced the Rights and Responsibilities inline with the Patient’s Charter for Tuberculosis Care.

Speaking at the programme, a 36 years old Ms. Meera Devi Kunwar, a single mother suffering from TB, demanded to stop untimely TB deaths. She said, the achievement of the government in controlling TB looks satisfactory, however, “the situation on the ground is different as there are lot of problems that people with TB and TB HIV have been facing which have continuously forced them into difficult situations such as stigma thus discrimination in society. Similarly, economic challenges pose difficulties to continue their treatment in a dignified environment.”

“I am from Achham (a district of far-western region) where the rate of HIV among people with TB seem to be high. In many cases people with HIV are not treated as human, it is due to lack of adequate efforts by concerned agencies. Addressing these problems, we need more awareness programmes and social economic and moral support to people with TB and TB HIV. I strongly urge to the government to implement the Patient’s Charter for TB Care and secure rights of people”, she told to the crowd.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Rajiv Kafle, President of NAP+N said, “I see many people with TB and TB HIV and their families in front of me. People with HIV are the most vulnerable to TB disease that is why we are here to show our solidarity and we are ready to work together in every front to fight against TB and secure rights and responsibilities of people with TB and TB HIV in line with the Patient's Charter.”

A cured TB patient, Mr. Krishna Shingh Mahat, from far-western district of Nepal said, “Three years ago I had TB, I continued my full course of treatment and cured the disease. TB is a social disease, people are not well aware of patients' rights and responsibilities thus many people have been treated differently and died due to TB though deaths are untimely and preventable. I'm very pleased to be here today and believe that this kind of event will increase awareness thus help to curtail TB problem in community and create a conducive environment for people with TB to complete their treatment.”     

Dr. Mohammad Akhtar, Medical Officer, World Health Organisation said that Nepal is one of the signing example of best TB practice in the World. “I am proud to be the part of the team which is working to stop TB in Nepal. This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of National TB Programme, Ministry of Health and all the partners, such as HERD which is organising this event.” Dr. Akhtar informed that the WHO is committed to the Patient’s Charter for TB Care.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Sharat Chandra Varma of Nepal Tuberculosis Centre said, “I like to assure that the Nepal NTP have been respecting the patient’s Right by providing free treatment and will continue to provide free for all TB patient. NTP have a significant role to play to implement Patient Charter and will go further to implement it.”  

An 83 years old Veteran Journalist & Former TB Patient Mr. Bhairab Risal, said, “TB is a curable disease and I am an example of that. I had TB in 1965 which I cured and I am still active after 46 years of TB. In my battle with TB, I won and TB lost. For this we need to be committed and disciplined in our treatment.” 

Sushil Baral, Executive Director of HERD, who was also the master of the ceremony hoped that the number of butter candles will be reduce to zero in the near future if we continue to fight against TB in a sustainable fashion. He also urged that all partners to forge collective actions to transform TB fights towards elimination. “We lighted 7,000 lamps this year, we hope that we will significantly reduce the untimely TB deaths and light less number of candles from next year onwards.” Mr. Baral said.  

In the event, members of the civil society expressed their solidarity and commit to implement the Patient’s Charter for TB Care. 

In the event people signed their commitment in a board to implement the patient’s charter. 

Free Chest Camp 

To celebrate World TB Day, HERD organised “One day Free Chest Camp” in the peri-urban area of capital city on 23 March 2011. The camp was organised in collaboration with NTP with the local support of Mateshwor Samaj Sudhar Samiti at Tikathali, Lalitpur district. The camp served around 500 chest symptomatic cases. 

Altogether 15 members health team including Chest Physician, Medical Officers, Paramedics and local volunteers were involved in the camp. General health check up, laboratory services and drugs were made available free for all and around 300 people from poor and marginalized groups benefited from the camp. 

Deputy Prime Minister observed the HERD’s exhibition  stall

On the World TB Day, 24 March a programme was organised by NTP at Town Hall where Deputy Prime Minister Mr Krishna Bahadur Mahara gestured as chief guest. Mr Mahara along with senior government officials visited HERD’s exhibition stall. Sushil Baral, Executive Director of HERD, briefed the Deputy PM on the Patient’s Charter for TB Care - rights and responsibilities. 

Media Campaign by HERD

To assist the Nepal NTP in sensitizing people on TB issues, HERD launched a week long Media Campaign on the occasion of World TB Day with a main focus on the Patient’s Charter for TB Care. HERD prepared a factsheet on TB, the Patient’s Charter for TB Care and International Standard of TB Care in local Nepali Language to sensitize the media on TB and Right related issues. The Press Kit was widely distributed to the media.     

HERD designd and installed two huge billboards in the downtown Kathmandu. Furthermore, HERD prepared three Public Service Announcement (PSA)s including the messages of TB sign and symptoms and the Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities. These PSAs broadcasted in collaboration with Local and Community Radio stations. Radio Sagarmatha, the first community radio station in South Asia have been broadcasting these PSAs and will continue to do so for another 30 days. Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB) have been broadcasting these PSAs  from 120 Community FM Radios around the country and will continue to broadcast these PSAs for another 30 days and will cover all 75 districts of Nepal. Radio Mirmire of Kathmandu  has also broadcasted these PSAs. HERD also translated the PSAs in the local languages and FM radios of Far-West Region have been broadcasting the PSAs in local language. 

Mr. Sushil Baral, Executive Director of HERD participated was interviewed by media and participated live radio discussions in five radios in which he gave emphasis on the Patient’s Charter for TB Care and developing a patient-centered approach in TB care.    

The state-run Nepal Television also produced and broadcasted special discussion programme on World TB Day. In the programme- Hamro Kathmandu (Our Kathmandu), Dr. Kashi Kant Jha, Director of NTP and Mr. Sushil Baral, Executive Director of HERD discussed on the current trend of TB in Nepal. Several broadsheet and mainstream newspapers and their online edition run special article, news and feature on World TB Day and included photo of the candle light event  which was organised by HERD. 

Pictures of the event was also carried out by International News Agencies including Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Reuters.