‘Jalputul’ is making children aware of tuberculosis in Rajshahi through puppet dramas. This program has been started in Rajshahi as a pilot project under the ‘National Tuberculosis Control Program’ of the Department of Health.

Apart from puppet dramas, traditional Gambhira songs are also being performed. During the puppet show at T-Dam, men, women and children are enjoying it with much enthusiasm. The dialogue of the play has been done with the traditional Gambhirs of Rajshahi region. A team of 15 people from Dhaka and 10 people from Rajshahi are taking part in this awareness program.

In the first part of the program, there is a 20-minute workshop for children. After that a 25 minute puppet drama is being held. There is also an opportunity to get a cough test and medical services. The main objective of this program is to keep children free from tuberculosis and various diseases of adolescence. Project Director Saiful Islam, Project Manager Asif Chowdhury, Project Coordinator Shaheen Saidur and many others were present during the screening of the awareness drama at Rajshahi T-Dam.

This puppet show will be screened in 30 places in 12 days. It is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Directed by International Center for Diarrhea Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB).

The melody and rhythm of the song is informed that children also get tuberculosis. But many do not know the subject. So even though children suffer from tuberculosis, the issue is still grossly neglected.

Therefore, there is no alternative to raising awareness among the general public including parents about the signs and symptoms of this disease in children. It is important to highlight the need to motivate parents to test for tuberculosis in children and the need to treat TB patients.