In a year-long campaign, Chennai-based non-profit organisation REACH will focus on cough hygiene for the prevention of spread of diseases through its “Cough with Care” initiative.
Actor Suriya launched the campaign on the occasion of the 15 year celebrations of REACH, which has been working for tuberculosis control, on Saturday.
Ramya Ananthakrishnan, executive director of REACH said,“ When a person coughs, 3,500 microorganisms are let into the air, while sneezing brings out several lakhs of microorganisms,” she said.
Several infections, including TB, were airborne, she said, adding that if cough etiquette was not followed, it could result in spread of diseases. “We should use a tissue or handkerchief to cover mouth and nose while coughing and also wash hands. We should teach cough hygiene to children,” she added.
In this initiative, REACH will involve school students, doctors, community and NGOs.
Actor Suriya highlighted the need for awareness, completion of treatment course and involvement of community for TB control. “I was affected by TB and took the Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse medication. It is important to continue the treatment for six to eight months without interruption. I am healthy today,” he stated.
The actor noted that economic status has nothing to do with acquiring the infection.
M.S. Swaminathan, chairman of REACH, said that many TB patients have inadequate nutrition. “Mostly, we take a drug-based approach. We should take a food-cum-drug based approach,” he stressed.
Over 40 community volunteers were felicitated. Nalini Krishnan, director of REACH and P. Kuganantham, health officer of Chennai Corporation, also spoke.