Docs advise caution as TB is back as epidemic

There is no more for complacency when it comes to treating tuberculosis (TB), doctors have cautioned.

People, mostly the educated, believe that TB is a problem of the past. But doctors say that it is coming back in the form of an epidemic.

The Karnataka State Tuberculosis Association (KSTBA) launched its 64th TB seal campaign in the City on Wednesday. Dr Shashidhar Buggi, secretary, KSTBA, said TB was one of the oldest diseases, but people were hardly aware of it. He said TB could be eradicated from the country by 2050, provided the revised national TB control programme is implemented properly.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare, U T Khader, said the government was planning to identify smoking zones to ensure people do not suffer due to passive smoking. The government would soon have special nutrition programme for HIV patients. The compensation for endosulphan victims would be increased and the files on increasing incentives for Asha workers had been cleared and sent to the Finance department, he added.

Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj also spoke on the occasion.