TB MAY SPREAD LIKE EPIDEMIC IF NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY

Ara, 23 July 2023, (RNI): Despite continuous awareness programme, Tuberculosis is spreading rapidly and if the pace continues, it may take a turn of epidemic. Since 2017, the number of patients in the district is increasing continuously eclipsing the Tuberculosis Free India Campaign of government in Bhojpur district. Till 2025, the programme is not seen to be completed in the district.

This can be gauged from the fact that in 2017 the number of patient was 1386 which increase to 3829 till 2022 and rise is still going on and till June, 2023, the number of TB cases was identified upto 2197. The expert says that the main cause for the increase in the number of TB patient is lack of awareness. People do not check on time due to which the disease becomes serious. If the pace continues, the number of TB cases will reach 4000 till next year. The number of TB patient is increasing gradually instead of decreasing in Bhojpur district though the government has spent lot of money to get rid of the disease.

The District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. A Ahamd said that congestion in the chest, persistent cough for three weeks or more, coughing up wet blood, loss of weight, feeling tired, having fever, sweating at night, feeling cold, chest pain, shortness of breath and etc are the common symptoms of Tuberculosis and if one or more among these symptoms appears, one should go to the nearest health centre for a blood test and start treatment. He said that due to lack of awareness among the people, they do not care and are not coming forward for examination at the health centres of examination and due to this the health department has to knock from door to door.

As per the data available, about six years ago, in the number of patients received every year has been increased to 2442 in the year 2022. From 1387 in the year 2017, this figure increased to 3829 in the year 2022 and 2197 patients have been confirmed by the month of June 2023.

Mridula of Tuberculosis Department said that investigation has been increased to work in the direction of Tb Free India Campaign. DOTs are being given to initial patients for six months and at the same time, the TB is being treated after detection. She further said that Rs. 500 is being sent to the bank account of each and every TB patient and Niskshay Mitra scheme has been launched  to look after the TB patient so that people or organization may adopt the TB patient for their care.

Dr A Ahamad said that all suspected patients who have cough continuously for one or more week must go to their nearest health centre and get tested. He forbade to take it lightly because a patient suffering from the disease can infect hundreds of people around him or her and at the same time, if the patient does not take medicine, due to seriousness, death can also happen and so people should be careful. He added that modern testing and new facilities are being developed to prevent the spread of TB infection. He stated that patient is being identified at every block level so that patient can get timely treatment.