IMA Palampur endorses DOTS & Standards of TB Care

Dharamsala, August 22, 2014: District TB Officer of Kangra, Dr RK Sood said that despite TB being a curable disease, people are dying due to this disease. He shared that each case can infect 10 cases in a year.  “In 2013, out of expected 3795 cases in the district, 2587 were diagnosed and reported to Revised National TB Control Programme, there was a gap of 32%. These are missed cases, which maintain the chain of TB transmission”, he added.
Dr. Sood was expressing his views in a Continuing Medical Education held by Indian Medical Association Kangra District branch (Palampur) Himachal Pradesh at Hotel T-Bud Palampur near Dharamshala, early this week
TB is an airborne disease cause by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (which generally affects the lungs) and is transmitted from the infected person to another through the droplets formed in the throat or lungs. TB could affect anyone, irrespective of social or economic status as it spreads through the air we breathe.
The risk of spreading the disease is increased with delay in seeking medical care by TB patients in the hospitals. Dr S Parida IMA RNTCP Project Consultant shared that majority of the missed people with TB first go to the private sector, often seeking care from multiple providers in their journey to access TB treatment, such as drug sellers, private practitioners, hospitals etc.
During this long process, TB patients can infect many others in their family and community”. Dr. Parida said. So, if we want to diagnose TB early and prevent further transmission of the infection, then engagement of such first-contact private providers is the key.
“He said that correct treatment should be given in the form of right anti-TB drugs, in the right dosages, right combination, & the treatment needs to be taken for the full 6 months. If not, drug resistance can emerge. He emphasized that is important for private practitioners to follow international and national Standards of TB Care & use the correct drugs and combinations.
DTO stated that even if the correct TB treatment is started, it is important to make sure patients complete the full course of TB treatment. Adherence will ensure cure and prevent drug-resistance. One third of Patients receiving self-administered treatment do not adhere to treatment. It is Impossible to predict which patient will take medicines. Hence DOTS is crucial.
IMA President Dr Chain Singh told that doctors agreed that DOTS has less drug intake, which and hence less side effects is a good policy. It was shared that DOTS is successful strategy and under RNTCP 85% cure rates have been achieved for patients on DOTS.
In the workshop, Dr MK Gupta MO Drug Resistant TB Site, Medical College Tanda shared recent updates in TB & Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) TB. DTO also appealed to all to observe airborne infection control practices and protect their health from diseases like MDR TB, swine flu, SARS.
IMA Secretary Dr Rohit also appealed to all to notify TB and contribute to TB control. Over 35 doctors participated in the in the discussions in this interactive workshop.
Community support supplements the Govt efforts:
CMO Kangra Dr BM Gupta shared that some donors like Shakti Foundation, Delhi, Dr. Bharatenda Bansal, Rotary Club, Palampur & Shahpur, Farm Technocrats Forum Palampur, Himalaya Parivar, Shani Seva Sadan Palampur, Dr Ram Sood, Bharat Vikas Parishad Baijnath Paprola, Ess Pee Medicos Kangra, Dr Veena Mahajan of Mumbai have came forward to provide loose drugs, which were not available under the programme. He thanked sponsors who made a contribution of medicines worth about Rs 1 lakh to save the lives of poor patients. In addition some drugs were being provided by the Rogi Kalayan Samiti of Zonal Hospital Dharamsala.