The government and non-government machinery should gear up in the State for the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis (TB), said Governor Rameshwar Thakur on Tuesday.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the 58th TB Seal Campaign at Raj Bhavan.

“The Tuberculosis Association is trying to address 80 per cent of the problem which exists in rural areas and urban slums. It spreads amongst people and areas which do not have access either to the understanding of the problem or to the facilities and resources which can control this evil,” he stressed.

Health and Family Welfare Minister R Ashok pointed out that every year his ministry undertakes awareness programmes on this dreaded disease.

“Free DOTS treatment has reached many parts of the State. NGO’s, public and government agencies should work together to fight TB,” he said.

TB seals with the message ‘Help fight TB’ brought out by the Tuberculosis Association of India was released by the Governor on the occasion.

On the sidelines of this event Rameshwar Thakur also spoke on the special significance of Gandhi Jayanti this year, as for the first time, ‘International Day of Non Violence’ is being observed after the United Nations General Assembly adopted it recently.