22 of 60 screened for tuberculosis in Pataudi, Bhora Kalan test positive - Hindustan Times
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22 of 60 screened for tuberculosis in Pataudi, Bhora Kalan test positive

Hindustan Times, Gurugram | By
May 15, 2019 05:29 AM IST

“Many TB patients, detected earlier, had stopped their medications before their treatment schedule was completed. This leads to the bacteria spreading,” said Dr Vijay Kumar, district tuberculosis officer.

Doctors said they have found a significant number of people screened for tuberculosis (TB) to be suffering from the infectious bacterial disease. The state health department is currently organising camps to detect and treat TB patients in areas that are located far from government healthcare facilities.

According to health department officials, areas such as Pataudi were chosen for the camps as they have a large population of migrant workers living in slums.(HT Photo)
According to health department officials, areas such as Pataudi were chosen for the camps as they have a large population of migrant workers living in slums.(HT Photo)

The first camp was held in Pataudi on May 5, wherein 11 of the 33 patients, tested for TB by way of sputum (phlegm) culture and cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT), tested positive. At Bhora Kalan village, where a camp was held on May 10, 11 of 27 tested positive. Health department officials said that usually, during a detection camp, about two to three cases of around 50 suspected cases are detected.

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However, the prevalence was higher this time.

“Many TB patients, detected earlier, had stopped their medications before their treatment schedule was completed. This leads to the bacteria spreading,” said Dr Vijay Kumar, district tuberculosis officer.

He said that awareness among people about the disease could also be a reason. “High detection is also linked to increased awareness about the disease,” he said.

According to health department officials, areas such as Pataudi were chosen for the camps as they have a large population of migrant workers living in slums. “Massive urbanisation intensifies the chances of tuberculosis to spread. Air can’t filter through closely packed houses and bacteria thrive here,” said Kumar.

Officials said that the people who tested positive for TB have been linked to the department’s treatment system, and they can avail of free medicines at any government clinic. A direct benefit transfer of 500, for every month till the treatment lasts, is also made to their bank accounts for nutritional support, as per the department’s policy. Treatment usually takes six to 18 months, but in some extreme cases, it can even extend beyond 18 months, said doctors.

Camps will be organised at Khandsa, Nathupur, Sohna and Farrukhnagar among other areas, officials said.

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