Agartala: Of the total new tuberculosis cases in Tripura, an average 3 percent patients is afflicted by the deadly HIV positive virus in the state, according to official sources.
And, of the total new tuberculosis cases, an average 50 patents are women.
As many as 3500 new tuberculosis cases have been detected each year and around 5 percent new patients have been diagnosed with HIV positive since their immunity had already got reduced, said State Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Babul Das here on Sunday.
The state has altogether 7000 plus tuberculosis patients and out of whom 3500 patients are getting prescribed treatment from different government-run hospitals.
In the sideline of a discussion programme on Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) here, Dr. Das said the possibility of death of the disease is not alarming in the state.
“While the national average stands at 5 percent, in Tripura it is below 4 percent. We are working round the year to identify new cases of tuberculosis and ensure prescribed treatment to the patents”, he said.
Asserting that malnutrition, alcoholic and smoking are main cause of the disease, Dr. Das said the health workers at all level have been doing their best efforts to identify new cases.
“The tasks to provide best possible treatment have become easier once the identification process of tuberculosis is done early stage and properly. More so, best treatment facilities are available in all the government-run hospitals with free of cost”, he said.
However, Dr. Das expressed concern over the number of drug resistant tuberculosis patients. According to him, a tuberculosis patient, who leaves the prescribed treatment might turned drug resistant tuberculosis which requires rigorous treatment spanning over two years.
Normally, a tuberculosis patient needs six to eight months treatment to get rid of the disease.
“Though the disease is not life-taking, people should remain vigilant to avoid developing such illness. And message of awareness should be taken to the grass root level”, he said.
Here it may be noted Tripura State Tuberculosis Society has been spearheading the campaign against the tuberculosis as part of nationwide movement.
The Centre has been extending full support by way of pumping money to address the problem.
