President of India’s message on the eve of World Tuberculosis Day
In his message sent to the Global Coalition Against Tuberculosis, the President has said, “I am happy to learn that World Tuberculosis Day is being observed on 24th March, 2017 to commemorate the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch discovered the TB bacillus.
TB continues to be one of the major health challenges of India. The country today is better prepared to fight TB than ever before. It is capable of effective intervention and possesses advanced technologies for diagnosis, treatment, and care of TB. During the period 2012-2017, the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme screened over 42 million individuals and more than 7 million patients were administered treatment.
On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, I call upon all stakeholders to redouble their efforts for an early achievement of the goal of TB elimination”.
Ref.: Press Information Bureau Government of India President's Secretariat
World Tuberculosis Day 2017: Rise of multidrug-resistant TB threatens India
India is also among the six countries that account for 60 percent of the total TB cases globally, a study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine said.
During the Union Budget address, last month, the government of India announced its plan to eliminate TB by 2025, however, experts say the programs initiated by the government have not been able to reach the marginalized sections.
"As per the standards of today, many changes have taken place. TB has been declared a modifiable disease and it is mandatory now for every physician and the hospitals including private ones to notify the disease to the district/state TB centers or authorities.
Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is an infectious, airborne disease that mainly affects your lungs. It is also one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.
Caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the disease can be spread from person to person through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze, spit, laugh, speak, propelling the germs into the air.
But there are simple things which one can do to prevent and minimize the risk of developing the disease.
Here are some ways to prevent TB:
ü One should avoid close contact with TB-infected people.
ü If you cannot avoid contact with patients, wear a protective mask and gloves to avoid breathing in TB bacteria.
ü People who are infected with the disease should maintain a proper personal hygiene.
ü TB patients should sleep alone in a separate, adequately ventilated room.
ü Regular exercise is a must for all TB patients as it boosts the immunity as well as improve their health.
ü Tuberculosis patient should eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains to maintain their immune system.
ü Get adequate sleep every night.
ü If you test positive for latent TB, treat it before it becomes active.
On World Tuberculosis Day, let's spare a thought as to how the changing lifestyle and stress lead to low immunity and leave people vulnerable to TB. Earlier, TB was tagged as a disease endemic to the lower strata of the society. However, the increase in the use of faulty air conditioners, lack of ventilation and other reasons have led to the spread of the airborne disease.
An increase in the number of bone TB cases especially youngsters have been noted, it is essential to provide timely treatment and proper medication. If not then the bone will start deforming and the patient may have to go for replacement surgery. Spine TB forms puss that can destroy the bones and add pressure to the nerves which can cause paralysis hence the need for timely diagnosis and treatment.
The government has organized various facilities and free treatment opportunities for TB patients, this is helping patients to detect the disease at an early stage itself. As TB spreads through the air, those with low immunity are at a greater risk of contracting TB. Youngsters these days are confined to their home/industry with various gadgets to entertain them. Those who prefer to sit in a closed room to work/study, As the ventilation is poor in confined areas, makes it the common way to catch TB infection."
"Timely diagnosis and early initiation of treatment will help patient to recover faster and prevent complications. It is no more the disease of the poor as we can see many teenagers from families with a good socioeconomic background also contracting it. Those with lower immunity caused due to improper food habits, long fasting gaps, inadequate sleep are prone to catch an infection
When a person develops active TB disease, the symptoms such as a cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss may be mild for many months. This can lead to delays in seeking care and results in a transmission of the bacteria to others. People with active TB can infect 10–15 other people through close contact over the course of a year.
Who is at risk of getting TB?
Tuberculosis mostly affects adults in their most productive years. However, all age groups are at risk. Over 95% of cases and deaths are in developing countries.
People who are infected with HIV are 20 to 30 times more likely to develop active TB. The risk of active TB is also greater in persons suffering from other conditions that impair the immune system.
Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of TB disease and death. More than 20% of TB cases worldwide are attributable to smoking.
Impact of TB
TB occurs in every part of the world. In 2015-16, 87% of new TB cases occurred in the 30 high TB burden countries. Six countries accounted for 60% of the new TB cases: India, Indonesia, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, and South Africa. Global progress depends on advances in TB prevention and cares in these countries.
Treatment
A radical draft National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Elimination of TB that proposes to bring down new tuberculosis (TB) infections by nearly 80% over the next eight years says India must expand the programme to the private sector, offer direct benefits transfer to patients, improve surveillance and monitoring of patients, and increase funding for the existing TB control programme.
(Source: World Health Organization)
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