Raphael Warjri

Shri Ashish Yadav, Chairman of Meghalaya Rural Bank, MRB shared that the Bank has initiated
the process of displaying TB awareness messages in English, Garo, and Khasi Language on the
Bank’s Passbook with an aim to reach out to the population across rural Meghalaya.
Mr Yadav shared MRB’s commitment towards various initiatives of the Government under the
financial inclusion program. Mr Yadav shared their association with the State’s TB Elimination
Efforts will lead to TB Free Meghalaya and TB Free India. Observing that ‘Health and Nutrition'
is approved common theme for CSR activities by the Corporate and Public Sector Enterprise for
the financial year 2024-25.
Dr. M. Syiemlieh, State TB Officer, Meghalaya shared updates on TB scenario in Meghalaya: in
2024, from January to June the State TB Office has registered 2,305 cases as compared to the
year 2023 where 4971 TB cases were notified.
Elaborating on the multisectoral approach for TB, it provides guidance to collaborate on
interventions required to meet commitments made on TB and the roles that different sectors can
play to accelerate progress in TB awareness.
Dr. Syiemlieh thanked the Meghalaya Rural Bank for accepting to disseminate TB messages in
the beneficiaries’ passbook. She said the inclusion of these messages in the passbooks is not
merely a logistical addition; it is a powerful tool for visual representation. By depicting pictures
and providing basic information about TB symptoms, these passbooks become educational
resources that can save lives.