TB detection drive in DK from Jan 2

The second phase of active case finding (ACF) campaign to detect TB in high-priority and vulnerable areas in different parts of Dakshina Kannada will be held from January 2 to 12, DHO Dr Ramakrishna Rao told reporters here on on Saturday.

“The campaign will focus on Koraga and Malekudiya community members in association with covering high risk areas. Awareness will be created among the TB,” he said.

Determined to eradicate TB by 2025, a goal been set under the national strategic plan chalked out by the Central Tuberculosis Division. The first phase of ACF campaign was held in July and 44 TB cases were detected during the campaign in Dakshina Kannada district.

Stating that detection and treatment of TB still remains a challenge in the country, DHO said that lakhs of people suffer from TB due to lack of awareness and negligence attitude in the country.

“Through the campaign, we are creating awareness and reaching out to areas that have not been mapped so far. The residents of slums, old-age homes, orphanages, and construction site workers, difficult-to-reach villages, quarry sites, HIV infected and migrant labourers will be checked in the district,” he said.

The DHO said the health workers will visit 2,80,107 people who have not been mapped so far. As many as 575 teams with 1,150 health workers with members of NGOs, Asha workers, junior health assistants will take part in the campaign.

Teams of two will conduct door-to-door surveys in the areas identified. Persons showing symptoms will be sent for sputum examination and chest X-ray. If they are tested positive, they will be registered under NIKSHAY (Health Ministry’s registry) to keep track of patients from diagnosis to treatment , and to monitor them for six months, the DHO added.

He said that as per the guidelines of the government, health workers and lab technicians are trained in the district.

“In the past, patients suffering from TB had to undergo two to three years of treatment. However, now with latest medicines, a patients will be cured within six months. However, the patients need to follow regular treatment and suggestions prescribed by the doctors,” he pointed.

Symptoms of TB

Severe cough for more than two weeks, fever during evening hours, lack of appetite, severe weight loss, muscle pain and blood in sputum are some of the symptoms of the TB patients.

The direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme for nutritional support to Tuberculosis (TB) patients — Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) has also been launched by the government, wherein the patient will get Rs 500 per month for their nutritional requirements. The Nikshay website has complete details on the patients and treatment.