A group of people who have won the battle against tuberculosis, considered by many as non-curable, is now engaged in raising public awareness and accelerate efforts to end the disease in Assam.
The awareness drives involved participation of panchayats, schools, self-help groups, tea garden management and the community at large, said Dr Arup Jyoti Kalita on Monday.
Kalita, the Assam State Coordinator of REACH, an NGO, said over 36 TB survivors from across Assam led the campaigns on World TB Day on Sunday by participating in district and state level activities.
Around 25 survivors of the disease last year formed a 'TB Champions' group.
The TB Champions urged the people to take a pledge not to stigmatise or discriminate against anyone with the disease.
"We can see TB in a different light because we have been victims of discrimination ourselves. It is high time we stand together against the stigma related to TB in our society," TB Champion Kushal Patowary said.
TB Champions must motivate others affected by TB and convey the message that treatment is available and it is a curable disease, he added.
Another TB Champion Minoti Puran said, "when I won my battle against TB, I realised that the disease is never stronger than me. I took pledge and resolved to eradicate TB not only from my village but from my state and my country as well".
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