HAVERI: Owing to Covid-19 factors, there has been a drastic fall in the number of reported cases of tuberculosis in the state.
This has left the heath officials worried even as World Tuberculosis Day is being observed on Wednesday.
A person infected with TB can potentially spread it to 15 persons. If cases go unreported, it becomes difficult to curb the spread of the disease. According to the officials, many people are not coming forward to get tested for TB because both TB and Covid-19 have similar symptoms like cold, cough and fear.
Many people with these symptoms are not going to the doctor because they worry that it could be Covid-19. Moreover, since TB too is an infectious disease, people fear isolation.
“This tendency to hide infections is dangerous for the patients as well as their family members and neighbours,” said Dr Neelesh MN, district tuberculosis control officer. As many as 2,076 cases of TB were reported in 2019 among 26,245 persons who were tested. But, only 1,420 cases were notified among 11,260 persons who got tested in 2020.
Both the state and union governments are spending huge funds year after year to curb TB. But the possibility of TB cases being under-reported has been a cause of concern. TB patients not showing up in hospitals becomes a huge setback in the direction of eradicating the epidemic.
“People should not hesitate to get tested for TB because it is a curable disease. Diagnosis and treatment are free of cost in government hospitals. A financial assistance of Rs 500 per month is given to TB patients under Nikshay Poshan Yojana. We have been giving Rs 1,000 to Asha workers to monitor TB patients under the scheme. Patients can be cured if they complete the six months medication course,” Dr Neelesh said.
“We are creating awareness among the public about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Our staff and ASHA workers are regularly monitoring patients who are under treatment. Hence, people must utilise this facility to make India TB-free,” said DHO Dr Raghavendra HS.