World TB Day Observed at AIIMS Bhubaneswar

Monthly 60 TB Positive cases are detected at AIIMS

• Post COVID normalization of Health Care accelerates newly diagnosed TB cases
• AIIMS Bhubaneswar reaches out community for TB awareness

Bhubaneswar, 25/03/2023: Post-COVID normalization of the health care system has accelerated newly diagnosed TB cases. At AIIMS Bhubaneswar 674 new TB cases have been detected in the year 2022 in comparison with 521 cases in preceding year. On an average 60 new TB cases are getting detected per month at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, informed experts on occasion of World TB Day observation yesterday in the national institute.

Early detection and proper treatment can reduce the burden of TB. As per Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan nutritional support for TB patients has been provided at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said Executive Director of the institute Dr. Ashutosh Biswas. Similarly, as per Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana TB patients are getting Rs. 500/- per month till treatment continues. MDR (Multi Drug Resistance) TB is a challenge in combating the fight for eliminating TB. Last year, for the first time in nearly two decades, WHO reported an increase in the number of people falling ill with TB and drug resistant TB, alongside an increase in deaths, added Dr. Biswas. He also emphasized on managing the extra-pulmonary TB which is also a substantial burden of the disease.

Moderating the programme Pulmonary Medicine Department Head and DEAN AIIMS Bhubaneswar Dr. P R Mohapatra said that Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s top infectious killers, causing 1.6 million deaths each year and affecting millions more, with enormous impacts on families and communities. The COVID-19 pandemic coupled with ongoing crises such as armed conflict, food insecurity, climate change, political and economic instability, has reversed years of progress made in the fight against TB.

Microbiology Department Head Dr. Baijayantimala Mishra informed about the free of cost DNA test i.e CBNAAT and True-NAT at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Among others Registrar B B Mishra along with senior faculties, students and employees attended the programme. Medical Officer DOTS Centre Dr. Sarada Prasanna Mishra, TBHV DOTS Centre Arpan Mishra coordinated the event.

Reaching out the community Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, AIIMS Bhubaneswar also organized an awareness programme at Behera Basti (Ward No-25), Nayapalli to eliminate TB. Dr. Binod Kumar Behera Dr. Prajna Paramita Giri delivered health education on TB symptoms and related stigma to TB and discussed treatment and diagnosis of Tuberculosis with the help of visual charts. Local Corporator Manasi Rani Sundaray and ASHA worker Rasmita Prusty were felicitated on the occasion. Members from Maa Mangala and Omm Shanti Mahila Arogya Samiti, local residents of the urban slum participated in the programme. The observation ended with the real life story of a TB Champion Pramod Nayak. The TB champion explained various social stigmas he faced during his treatment period. After successfully completing treatment for TB, the Champion is living a normal life.