Despite the significant growth of the health system in India, more than 7,500 persons are developing TB disease every day. The unfolding of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) poses as a major risk towards the achievements made over the past years in the fight towards overcoming the burden of tuberculosis. It is noticed that TB continues to be a major public health problem accounting for substantial morbidity and mortality in India. World Health Organization encourages to build awareness on Tuberculosis and announced the theme for this year as “It’s Time” to stop TB.

1. Awareness Program for Care Takers of MAHE Hostels.

A Tuberculosis Awareness Programme was organized by the department of Medical Surgical Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal on 22.03.2019. As part of this, Dr. Vijaya Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine, KMC Manipal, delivered the guest lecture on “It’s time for action and it’s time to end tuberculosis” to the employees of hostel (Care takers), MAHE, Manipal. He highlighted on symptoms identification, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis during his lecture. The care takers were instructed so as to how students suffering from TB and other health issues can be rightly identified as they play a pivotal role towards students’ health and wellbeing.

There was a role play with the theme “It's time to End TB” by the First year MSc Medical Surgical Nursing Students. Dr. Anice George, Dean, MCON, Dr. Elsa Sanatombi Devi, Professor and Head, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing and other faculty members of the department were present during the event. Dr. Ramesh C, Lecturer, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing was the convener.

2. Socio drama for the general Public at Malpe.

To sensitize to the general public the Department of Community Health Nursing Manipal College of Nursing MAHE, and Mantra Tourism Development Company jointly performed a Socio Drama at Malpe Beach on 23rd (Saturday) March 2019 as per of World Tuberculosis Day 2019 initiatives. The socio-drama was performed perfectly by IV year BSc Nursing students and demonstrated what is TB, its causes, mode of disease transmission, signs and symptoms, treatment, and prevention. The drama highlighted the theme It’s time to stop TB. A large gathering of public and tourist’s those who came to enjoy at Malpe beach attended the Socio Drama.

The main aim of the program was to create an awareness in the society and convey a strong message to the community regarding Tuberculosis. It is believed that such programmes will convey the message more effectively. It’s time we all must put efforts to stop to Tuberculosis. The entire event was organized by Dr. Shashidhara YN HOD and faculty of Department of Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing MAHE and under the guidance of Dr. Anice George Dean Manipal College of Nursing Manipal and this event was supported by Mr. Sudesh Shetty from Mantra Tourism Development Company, Malpe.