Amid Covid, Punjab TB drive takes a hit

Amid the pandemic, the Tuberculosis Control Programme in Punjab seems to have gone for a toss as the number of both newly diagnosed patients and those already under treatment has come down significantly.

As per state’s TB cell, the number declined by at least 30 per cent. The target to diagnose new patients between January and July was 41,999. However, just 29,579 patients could be traced.

Government hospitals with 74 per cent target achievement fared better than the private ones, which could meet 60 per cent of the target.

The state had been doing well on this front till February. However, March onwards the patients stopped coming forward. From an average of 5,000 patients a month, it came down to 3,000 in April. The situation remained more or less the same the following months.

Due to the fear of getting infected, patients stopped coming to hospitals, which has badly hit the programme.

Tuberculosis

TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs.
Transmission: TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.
Symptoms: Cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
Treatment: TB is a treatable and curable disease. It is treated with a standard 6-month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer.
Anti-TB medicines have been used for decades and strains that are resistant to 1 or more of the medicines have been documented in every country surveyed.