BJGMC-JHU CRS Hosts 400+ at Community Events for World TB Day 2024

March 24th marked World TB Day, a day to educate the public about the impact of TB around the world, and an especially poignant occasion in India where the World Health Organization estimates two people die every three minutes from tuberculosis.

The BJGMC-JHU Clinical Research Site (CRS) in Pune used the opportunity to host engaging panel discussions, interactive outreach programs, and impactful awareness campaigns at the Aundh Chest Hospital, the PHOENIx study site, as well as in the community.

On March 22, 2024, a procession, Prabhatfari, was carried out by 200 health workers, including CRS volunteers, and 200 students from Baburaoji Gholap Vidyalaya, Nrusinha High School to create a TB awareness campaign in the community. They distributed brochures titles “TB harega Desh Jitega,” or “We will defeat TB and our country will win,” and handed out food, caps with the slogan “TB Mukt Bharat” (TB free India),  and certificates of appreciation to the participating schools. Dr. Sangle, Deputy Director, TB & Leprosy state program inaugurated the event.

Students and health care staff  also participated in poster and quiz competition where prizes were distributed to the top three contestants. Mr. Suresh Vargantiwar, New English School, Tilak Road moderated the poster competition.

CRS volunteers also worked with Pune Metro, Lakshya Trust, and the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program to distribute brochures to approximately 1200 passengers on the Pune metro rail system for TB infection awareness and diagnosis. Several passengers shared their own personal experience with TB with staff members.

“The overwhelming success of the World TB Day event reflects the collective efforts and shared commitment of all stakeholders towards the common goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2025,” CRS Coordinator Dr. Nishi Suryavanshi said. “As we express our gratitude for the successful event, let us remain steadfast in our resolve to continue the fight against TB, leaving no one behind in our pursuit of a healthier and TB-free world.”

Also in attendance at the World TB day events were Dr. Abhijit Hosmani and Dr. Aniruddha Deshpande, from Aundh Chest Hospital, Dr. Vidya Mave, Dr. Suryavanshi, Dr. Sandesh Patil, and Ms. Savita Kanade of the CRS, Dr. Girish Lele and Mr. Sachin Pawar of Satya Sa Seva Sanstha and the Ajinkya Social Foundation.