Brief report World TB Day Observation in Bhutan

Brief report on World TB Day Observation in Bhutan
24th March 2001

As usual World TB Day 2001 was observed through out the country. The main activities were as follows:

Message from Hon'ble Minister of Health & Education targeting mainly students and teachers were read in all the schools in the country. Along with this, students also displayed posters and other pictorial messages on TB & DOTS. Some students (in fact some were TB patients) also spoke on the occasion. This activity was mainly to prepare the students and teachers as ambassadors in disseminating messages on TB & DOTS so that access to DOTS by general population is enhanced.

The above message along with some basic informations on TB & DOTS were published in the Kuensel (national news paper) in all the three languages of Bhutan.

Two IEC materials in the form of leaflets in English and Dzongkha (national language) were produced and distributed to all the Districts. These were mainly in TB (general) & DOTS.

All 20 Dzongkhags were given financial support to observe this important day. Guidelines and the Day theme "DOTS - TB cure for All" were sent well in advance. The activities were mainly in terms of information dissemination and commitment of support at various levels for TB control in the Districts.

On 24^th March, all the Doctors and staff nurses of JDWNR Hospital (National Referral Hospital) at Thimphu attended a seminar on TB Control programme, Bhutan. All other relevant programmes and units also attended the seminar. This event was presided by the Director of Health as the chairman. All aspects of TB - programme aspects, treatment including MDRTB, DOTS & TB/HIV were highlighted.