Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, March 23: Globally, March 24 is observed as World Tuberculosis Day; and according to reports, the disease claims two million lives every year. In Nagaland, more than 4000 cases of TB were registered in 2018 alone.
The mission director of Nagaland Health Mission, Dr. Kevichusa Medikru told Eastern Mirror that more than 4000 cases of TB were recorded in the state last year. He said that the figure was ‘alarming.’
According to the doctor, the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme was launched in the state in 2002. Currently, there are 11 district TB centres, 50 designated microscopy centres and two drug resistant TB centres where the investigation and treatment of both TB and MDR TB are available for free, he said. There are also nine CBNAAT machines for rapid diagnosis.
“It is a burden in the country and one of the most infectious diseases that kill lakhs of people and the aim of the government of India is to eradicate this disease by 2025,” he said.
The state programme officer of RNTCP, Dr. Tiasunup Pongener also said that people are much more aware of the disease today. “People used to be isolated earlier and wouldn’t come out in the open but now people are more open,” said Pongener.
He said that there are schemes available for TB patients and one such scheme is the Nikshay Poshan Yojana. “Under the programme, every diagnosed registered patient can avail an amount of INR 500 every month via their bank account,” informed Pongener.
He also informed that previously only passive case findings were conducted; meaning patients would come to the health centres and get their treatment. However, the RNTCP is now conducting active case findings. “We are doing more of a camp approach where we visit vulnerable groups like people in prisons, quarry workers, people in interiors and urban slums and conduct the tests.”
The medical officer of a TB centre in Dimapur informed that at least 2-3 new cases are diagnosed everyday and 251 cases have been registered under the district TB centre since January this year. The figure does not include cases in private clinics and centres.
