Shillong Hosts Youth-Led Push Towards a TB-Free Meghalaya
In a significant step towards a tuberculosis-free Meghalaya, YOUNITE India, in collaboration with the Meghalaya Tuberculosis Elimination Network (MTEN) and the School of Social Work, Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), successfully organized a “TB Sensitization and Awareness Program” today at MLCU Hall, Nongrah.
The event, centered around the objective to motivate a dynamic youth-led network, focused on mobilising the energy, passion, and potential of young leaders to combat TB, brought together health officials, mental health experts, survivors, and students from the state, to facilitate the critical dialogue.
Empowering the youth and breaking the stigma, the event convened with an address by Dr. Bayarilin Shanpru, District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO), East Khasi Hills District. Leading the sensitization and awareness campaign, Dr. Shanpru emphasized on of preventative healthcare, urging the community to break the cycle of lifestyle diseases through immediate personal action. Highlighting the critical need to bridge the gap between medical access and individual responsibility, she issued a strong rallying call to the gathering. “It is time that we take our health into our own hands by adopting a healthy lifestyle and going for regular screenings,” she underscored, that early detection and positive daily habits are the most powerful tools in building a healthier future.
Sharing a powerful testimony of resilience, Miss Ridalin Shullai, Advocate & SCM of YOUNITE India and an MDR-TB survivor recounted her personal journey from diagnosis to recovery, serving as a living example that the disease can be defeated. She highlighted the importance of strictly adhering to the treatment regimen and overcoming the fear associated with the illness. Encouraging others to prioritize their well-being and seek timely medical intervention, she urged, “Don't be afraid if you have any symptoms, please go and check, because TB is curable if you take the medicine regularly.”
Leading an interactive session on the intersection of stigma, mental health, and community support, Dr. Jasmine, Clinical Psychologist, took down the social barriers that often isolate TB patients. She explained that the fear of judgment frequently prevents individuals from seeking help, making the community's role in recovery just as vital as medical treatment. Urging the audience to cultivate empathy rather than distance, she highlighted that mental resilience is key to physical healing. She stated, “The bacteria affect the lungs, but the stigma affects the soul, we must ensure that while the medicines cure the body, our compassion cures their mind.”
The event concluded with a strong call to action, inviting the youth from Shillong to join the “NextGen TB Champions” initiative to raise awareness about TB, help reduce stigma, advocate for TB policy and build capacity of young leaders.
By empowering the next generation, YOUNITE India and all the allied partners aim to sustain the momentum generated today, ensuring that the path to a TB-free Meghalaya is paved with community empathy and youth-led advocacy.
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