KARNAL: The number of cases of tuberculosis (TB) is on the rise in the district, leading to a challenge for the government to make the country TB-free by 2025.
As per the data procured from the department, the district has seen 4507 TB cases and 74 cases of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB this year. As many as 164 people died from TB during this period.
The number is high as compared to the last three years as 3854 cases of TB were detected in 2019, 4312 in 2020 and 4274 in 2021.
Similarly, the disease killed 655 people in the last four years - 153 people in 2019, 154 in 2020, 184 in 2021 and 164 this year.
As many as 2074 TB patients are getting treatment at government hospitals in the district.
As per the experts, the lack of awareness and carelessness on part of patients and frequent interruptions in treatment are considered to be the major reasons behind the rising number.
Dr Simmi Kapoor, Deputy Civil Surgeon (TB) said,” A diet amount of Rs 500 along with free medicines is given to TB patients. We have an indoor facility for the MDR-TB patients. We urge the patients not to leave their treatment midway.”
She said that the duration of the MDR treatment is 9 months against the normal period of six months of TB treatment.
Dr Sobhagya Kaushik, Medical Office said, “TB is totally curable. People should approach hospitals for check-ups if a cough lasts more than two weeks. To avoid the spread of the disease, patients must maintain cough hygiene.”
