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World TB Day - March 24 : Pune needs more centres to deal with drug-resistant tuberculosis, say experts
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), India accounts for 27 per cent of the 10 million people who developed tuberculosis in 2017, the highest among the top 30 countries where maximum cases are reported.
Pune needs more centres to deal with drug-resistance tuberculosis if the battle against tuberculosis has to be fought successfully, say city doctors on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, which is celebrated on March 24.
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria mycobacterium tuberculosis that most often affects the lungs.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), India accounts for 27 per cent of the 10 million people who developed tuberculosis in 2017, the highest among the top 30 countries where maximum cases are reported.
Experts have said that the national target to eliminate tuberculosis from the country by 2030 ‘is highly impossible’, but ‘can be closely achievable’.
To curb the spread and eliminate tuberculosis from the country, a national strategic plan 2017-2025 is under implementation. This plan focuses on awareness, the active finding of missing tuberculosis patients, notification of the occurrence by private doctors and adequate supply of medicines and free treatment along with improved diagnostic facilities and treatment centres.
Dr Mahavir Modi, who treats tuberculosis cases, said, “One of my patients, a 32-year-old who has been diagnosed with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), had to run from pillar to post for the second line treatment. There is only one centre in Pune at Aundh and hence, she had to go to Mumbai to get the drug. Many patients are frustrated because of long-distance travelling to get proper treatment and non-availability of drugs within reach in the city. Many miss out on their treatment making others vulnerable and infecting others through spitting.”
Dr Modi said it is important that the government develops more centres in urban areas, and also coordinate with private doctors who treat tuberculosis.
“Such clinics can be identified as zones, where drug-resistant tuberculosis centres can be started. This will make it is easier for the patients to access drugs for free of cost,” Modi suggested.
Similarly, Dr Nitin Abhyankar, said, “While the government’s mission is very ambitious, a report in the reputed medical journal, The Lancet, has said that the target to eliminate tuberculosis from India is not possible by 2030; it will take another 20 years. This was in line with his own observation.”
“We need better drug regimen, more drug resistance treatment centres and proper coordination with private doctors and government to pick missing cases of tuberculosis. The rise in notifications is a must from the doctors who treat tuberculosis which should be considered seriously,” he said.
“What is also of concern is the rising cases of the drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis which affects nearly all organs,” said Dr Arun Suradkar, consultant, internal medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital. “While this can be treated with a 100 per cent cure rate through nutrition and medicines. The government needs to step up and strengthen its mission to achieve the target by identifying the patients early,” Suradkar said.
Dr Padmaja Jogewar, head of tuberculosis, Maharashtra, said, “The government has started Nikshay Poshan Yojana to attract the drug-resistant tuberculosis cases which are mainly lost during follow-ups.”
“Under this programme, we provide Rs 500 every month to patients for nutritious food. The scheme was launched in April 2017 and has attracted patients from rural areas as compared to urban areas. So we need help from the private players,” she said.
“Private doctors need to notify the government about fresh tuberculosis cases to control its spread. From April, legal action will be taken for not sending notifications to us,” said Jogewar.