TB is a public health emergency that needs multi-stakeholder partnership

January 27, 2019

Treat every TB case and trace all close contacts

New Delhi, January 27, 2019: A recent study called Such a long journey: What health seeking pathways of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Mumbai tell us published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE has highlighted the several setbacks in the treatment for TB patients. The study, tracking the journey of 46 drug-resistant patients in Mumbai’s 15 high-burden TB wards, reveals how from self-delay to scattered healthcare facilities, TB patients go through a tortuous journey. All this often pushes them to default in treatment.

The TB care pathway involves many providers and facilities and a patient must go through multiple providers before getting the right diagnosis or treatment. There is also the issue of multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB and lack of awareness about the disease among people.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, HCFI, said, “TB is the third leading cause of years of life lost (YLLs) lost, in the country. It is caused by bacilli spread through droplet nuclei (less than 5 microns) infection. Droplet nuclei can remain suspended in the air for extended periods, and thus are a source of exposure to susceptible individuals. Split AC is not the right atmosphere for sputum-positive cases. Natural windows and fans are better alternatives. TB does not spread through handshakes, using public toilets, sharing food and utensils, blood transfusion and casual contact. TB can be of lungs (pulmonary), or outside the lungs (extra pulmonary). In 85% of cases, lungs are involved.”

Year 2025 has been set as the deadline for a tuberculosis (TB)-free India by the hon’ble prime minister. This is five years ahead of the global deadline set by the WHO.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the Group Editor-in-Chief of IJCP, said, “Early diagnosis and complete treatment is important to prevent and control TB. To address the problem of rising drug resistance, TB is a notifiable disease. The approach to all notifiable diseases should therefore be based on DTR “Diagnose, Treat & Report”: Diagnose early, using sputum GeneXpert test; Treat: Complete and effective treatment based on national guidelines, using FDC; and Report: Mandatory reporting.”

Some tips from HCFI.

  • Wash your hands after sneezing, coughing or holding your hands near your mouth or nose.
  • Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough, sneeze or laugh. Discard used tissues in a plastic bag, then seal and throw it away.
  • Do not attend work or school.
  • Avoid close contact with others.
  • Sleep in a room away from other family members.
  • Ventilate your room regularly. TB spreads in small closed spaces. Put a fan in your window to blow out air that may contain bacteria.

Stay informed with the latest news from HealthySoch. Sign up today for exclusive insights and updates!

We promise we never spam!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Health Tips

Dr. T S Kler Padma Bhushan Awardee
MD, DM, MRCP, FRCP(U.K), FACC, D.Sc
Chairman – Fortis Heart Institute Gurugram

Precautions to avoid Corona Virus:

  1. Stay home as far as possible.
  2. Wash hands with soap and water frequently.
  3. Keep distance from people even your home members.
  4. Keep atleast 1-2 metres away from anybody coughing.
  5. Don’t touch your face, nose and mouth.

 

Dr. K.K Says

Archives

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
    123
45678910
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
26272829   
       
891011121314
293031    
       
    123
45678910
11121314151617
25262728293031
       
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
27282930   
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
3031     
     12
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
2627282930  
       
1234567
891011121314
22232425262728
293031    
       
     12
3456789
17181920212223
24252627282930
       
  12345
6789101112
       
  12345
13141516171819
2728     
       
      1
9101112131415
3031     
   1234
567891011
       
282930    
       
    123
45678910
       
  12345
27282930   
       
      1
3031     
    123
11121314151617
       
28      
       
2930     
       
    123
       
       
       
      1
9101112131415
3031     
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
242526272829 
       
  12345
13141516171819
2728293031  
       
      1
23242526272829
3031     
    123
       
    123
25262728   
       
78910111213
28293031   
       
293031    
       
14151617181920
28293031   
       
   1234
567891011
       
   1234
567891011
262728    
       
891011121314
293031    
       
    123
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
  12345
27282930   
       
      1
2345678
16171819202122
3031     
    123
45678910
18192021222324
       
28293031   
       
     12
31      
   1234
       
  12345
6789101112
       
HealthySoch

Don't Miss

Free Life-Saving and Generic Drugs

healthysoch New Delhi, July 11, 2019 : Public Health and

A new antibiotic for gonorrhea

Morning MEDtalks with Dr KK Aggarwal New Delhi, November 09,