Ghaziabad: There was marginal fall in the rate of deaths caused by tuberculosis in 2020 compared to the previous two years. Of the 12,674 TB patients identified last year, 340 lost their lives, recording a death rate of 2.6%. Compared to 2020, the death rate was constant at 2.7% in 2018 and 2019.
A study of TB figures for the past three years revealed that the highest number of cases and deaths were recorded in 2019. A total of 17,014 patients and 467 deaths were reported in 2018, while a year prior to that 14,569 cases and 395 deaths were recorded. This year so far, 37 people have died out of 3,700 cases notified by government and private hospitals.
Health officials said with the theme of “the clock is ticking”, World TB Day will be observed on Wednesday to create awareness about the disease. They added that a series of activities like announcements related to the bacterial disease will be conducted through loudspeakers. Moreover, a drive – selfie with mask – will be carried out at police lines, bus stands, municipal corporation and government hospitals wherein staff will take selfies with residents in masks. A joint press conference by the health department and Indian Medical Association was organised on Tuesday.
State secretary of the IMA, Dr Rajeev Goyal said last year people used masks, which helped controlling TB as well. Social distancing and frequent washing of hands also proved to be helpful, he added.