Air pollution, malnutrition, overcrowding and poor living conditions are responsible for continuing tuberculosis problems in the country, noted the Indian Medical Association. It stated that to put off the chance of transmission and prevent the spreading of the disease, it is essential to reach all TB cases for treatment and cure.
“This will also prevent the emergence of drug-resistance TB,” noted a release issued by the Indian Medical Association.
Awareness movement
Several celebrities from across the city joined the TB awareness movement initiated by the IMA in association with the Central TB Division under the Directorate General of Health Services. They collectively signed and released the message ‘TB Harega Desh Jeetega’ and ‘Swachh Bharat Swasthya Bharat TB Mukt Bharat’.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K.K. Aggarwal IMA office bearer said: “Today, one fourth of all global TB cases occur in India every year. In 2013, twenty lakh TB cases occurred in India. The prevalence of the disease in India is 211 per lakh population, which amounts to 26 lakh annually. The incidence of TB per lakh population is 171. Deaths due to TB occur in 19 per lakh population. In total, 2.4 lakh people die of TB in India every year.”
No more a stigma
Dr. Jagdish Prasad, director general of health services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said that no one should ignore any cough of more than two weeks in duration.
He further said that TB is no more a stigma. All contacts of TB patients should be checked, as they may be infectious before it clinically manifest as TB.
Today, one fourth of all global TB cases occur in India every year. In 2013, twenty lakh TB cases occurred in our country. The prevalence of the disease is 211 per lakh population, which amounts to 26 lakh annually
