Dimapur: The Kohima district tuberculosis elimination programme, in collaboration with the National Health Mission (NHM), Nagaland, on Tuesday honoured 22 TB-free villages in Kohima district for 2025 with gold, silver and bronze medals, with Seiyha Phesa village securing the gold.
The awards were presented on the occasion of World TB Day at the Kohima Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall under the theme, “Yes! We Can End TB; Led by Bharat, Powered by Janbhagidari”.
The recognition was conferred under the TB Mukt Panchayat Initiative, which seeks to encourage healthy competition among village councils and acknowledge grassroots efforts in eliminating tuberculosis.
Following verification by district authorities, TB-free certificates — valid for one year, are awarded annually on World TB Day. Villages achieving TB-free status for one year receive bronze recognition, those maintaining it for two consecutive years are awarded silver, and those sustaining it for three years are honoured with gold.
In addition to certificates, awardees were presented with Mahatma Gandhi statues corresponding to their achievement categories.
Kohima Deputy Commissioner and chairman of the Kohima District TB Forum, B. Henok Buchem, called for sustained efforts to achieve TB-free status across all villages in the district.
Reflecting on the disease’s historical impact, he noted that several noted literary figures, including John Keats and George Orwell, had succumbed to tuberculosis at a young age.
Emphasising awareness, early detection and adherence to treatment, Buchem highlighted the need to dispel myths surrounding TB. He also pointed out that cases saw an increase in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, largely due to treatment disruptions.
He urged village leaders to extend full cooperation to health officials during TB screening drives in their respective areas.