Bhubaneswar: Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Minister Pratap Jena Monday launched Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials here at the Secretariat. The materials included television spots, posters and newspaper advertisements aimed to create awareness about tuberculosis (TB) in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Jena said, “This is indeed a milestone. The fight against TB is an arduous one. The men and women whose quotes are on the posters exemplify courage and perseverance. It is encouraging that they have taken on the task of being grassroots level advocates to fight stigma and myths on TB.”
The IEC materials were developed by Reach, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the state TB Cell and the H&FW department with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The IEC materials included outdoor collaterals featuring Odisha’s Ambassadors in the fight against TB—Prafulla Kar, Sudarshan Pattnaik and Kuna Tripathy –on various themes.
H&FW secretary Promod Meherda said, “There are several gaps in spreading awareness on TB. The nuances have to be kept in mind.”
Jena added that the formation of a network would help the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) machinery in the state to reach out to thousands more and help those being treated get cured.