BANDIPORA: Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), 96 panchayats of Bandipora district have been declared TB-Mukt (Tuberculosis-Free).

To recognize this achievement, the District Tuberculosis Control Society Bandipora on Wednesday organized a Tuberculosis-Free Panchayat Award Ceremony at the Mini Secretariat, Bandipora.

The event was presided over by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, and was attended by Chief Planning Officer Mohammad Maqbool, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rafi Ahmad, District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Hafeezullah, MS DH Bandipora, BMOs, Medical Officers, paramedical staff, panchayat secretaries and other concerned.

While presenting the progress of NTEP in the district, District Tuberculosis Officer informed that out of 151 panchayats in Bandipora, 96 panchayats have achieved TB-Free status.

He apprised that 25 panchayats have been awarded Silver status and 71 have achieved Bronze status based on their performance in TB control initiatives.

DC commended the efforts of the health department, frontline workers, and panchayat secretaries for their active participation in achieving this public health goal.

He emphasized the need for continued vigilance and community engagement to make Bandipora completely TB-free.

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates among the health workers and panchayat secretaries of TB-Free panchayats.