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HEALTH |
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DMCH to step up TB eradication drive
Our Correspondent
Ludhiana, June 19
A meeting to review and step up the efforts towards TB eradication was organised at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here yesterday. Dr Jagdip Whig, Vice-Principal and in charge of the Chest unit at DMCH, presided over the meeting which was attended by medical officers of peripheral DOTS centers working under the hospital. Dr Whig said the task of TB eradication was challenging and a lot more still needed to be done in this direction. He said in May, 35 new cases were put on treatment at the DOTS centres of DMCH, bringing the total number of cases to 133 in comparison to 80 during the corresponding period last year. “Still, a lack of proper information, education and communication among the victims and awareness among the medical fraternity about the concept of DOTS and its efficacy remains the most challenging aspect of its implementation,” he observed. He said TB killed more than 6.05 lakh women every year as compared to around 4.93 lakh who died of pregnancy-related complications. Moreover, the disease forced more than 30,000 children to leave schools because of their parents’ illness all over the world, he added. It was decided on the recommendation of Dr Anil Kashyap, Senior Resident, Chest unit, to organise a CME on DOTS in the DMCH to involve the doctors to highlight the concepts, efficacy, treatment regimes and the effect on the control of TB to make the drive more effective. Expressing their grave concern over an increase in the number of patients seeking treatment for various forms of TB, those present felt that more DOTS centres needed to be set up, especially in Ghumar Mandi, Maya Nagar and Krishna Nagar localities, for comprehensive coverage of the area around DMCH. Elaborating on the working of DOTS Centre of DMCH, Dr Whig said it was providing free and complete treatment to patients of all forms of TB.
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