On March 24, 2026, the Community Medicine Department at Varun Arjun Medical College and Rohilkhand Hospital, under Varun Arjun University in Banthra-Shahjahanpur, organized a comprehensive World Tuberculosis Day awareness program. Aligned with the national theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commitment, Investment, and Implementation,” the event featured educational sessions for MBBS and PG students covering TB symptoms (persistent cough, weight loss, fever, night sweats), transmission, diagnostics like microscopy and CB-NAAT tests, treatment protocols, and prevention strategies. It emphasized TB as a fully curable disease with timely diagnosis and adherence, aiming to foster social responsibility among future doctors.
Key highlights included TB awareness videos in hospital waiting areas to dispel myths and stigma, a poster competition for MBBS 2023-2024 batches showcasing symptoms, early testing, medication adherence, and empathy for patients, and a street play by paramedical students debunking misconceptions like incurability or the need for isolation. Senior leaders like Pro-Chancellor Dr. Ashok Agarwal, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kiran Agarwal, HOD Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Gupta, and others delivered inspiring speeches on collective action, stigma reduction, and free services under the National TB Elimination Program. Contributions from TB and Respiratory Department doctors (Dr. Irfan, Dr. Shahzeb, etc.) and community outreach at UHTC Shahjahanpur and RHTC Katra extended the impact to rural and urban areas.
The well-coordinated event, supported by staff like Dr. Intikhab Alam and others, engaged faculty, students, and paramedics, transforming it into a community movement toward a TB-free India through education, participation, and sustained implementation