Raphael Warjri

Meghalaya: In the heart of the monsoon-drenched hills of Meghalaya, where rivers swell and forests
thicken, a determined team embarks on a mission of life-saving urgency. Armed not with weapons,
but with digital X-ray machines, PPE kits, sputum containers, and an unshakable commitment, the
Corporeal Health Solutions (CHS) team engaged under the National Tuberculosis Elimination
Programme (NTEP) Meghalaya is bringing hope to the most isolated corners of the state.
Their goal: to find and treat missing TB cases — those left unseen, unheard, and untreated in some
of the remotest villages in the region.
As monsoon rains turned roads to rivers and jeeps gave way to boats, the X-ray team adapted
swiftly. Villages once accessible became virtual islands, cut off from essential services. But these
challenges only fuelled the team’s determination. Led by field coordinators, technicians, and drivers
who embody resilience, the team navigated treacherous terrains across Ri Bhoi, East Garo Hills,
South Garo Hills, and beyond.
In each village, they set up mobile screening units, often in makeshift shelters, carrying equipment
on their backs. They arrived soaked and exhausted, but always with a purpose. Villagers, especially
the elderly and sick, welcomed them with gratitude and relief. Children watched in wonder. For
many, it was their first access to advanced TB screening.
Each camp told a story — of a grandmother finally receiving treatment, a father no longer fearing
infecting his children, a youth regaining hope. Every diagnosis marked a victory not just for the
patient but for public health in Meghalaya.
This effort is more than just medical outreach — it's a powerful testament to the courage,
compassion, and commitment of health professionals who refuse to let geography or weather
decide someone’s fate.
"We are not just conducting screenings; we are breaking the cycle of silence around TB. We’re
reaching the forgotten," said one of the team members.
Residents in hard-to-reach areas are strongly encouraged to attend these TB screening camps,
regardless of age or symptoms. Early detection is key to treatment and to protecting families and
communities from the spread of this infectious disease.
This is the story of those who row through rivers and climb hills to heal — proving that with enough
will, even the wildest terrains can be tamed, and Tuberculosis can be eliminated — one village, one
camp, one breath at a time.