SHILLONG: The Health department has expressed concern over the reduction in patient attendance in general OPD to less than half of regular days due to different advisories and protocols relating to COVID-19 as well as the pandemic-induced lockdown and the fear of contracting the disease.
Despite the laboratory remaining fully operational, COVID-19 has reduced sputum examination and tuberculosis (TB) case notification, the department said in a statement issued here.
“Field activities of health workers have also significantly gone down or completely halted leading to reduction in referral of presumptive TB cases from field staffs,” the department said.
While stating that the matter is of top priority, the Health department has asked the medical officers of PHC, CHC and district hospitals to utilise the ILI and SARI clinics for screening of tuberculosis as the clients of these clinics have similar respiratory symptoms like that of pulmonary TB.
“Screening for TB patients should be also done during household visits. Emphasis should be on contact tracing of TB patients as well,” it added.
Lab technician will use hand gloves and simple PPE such as N95 mask, face shield and plastic apron, for examination of samples from non-COVID patients, the statement read.
Due to safety reasons, sputum sample will not be collected from COVID patients and people with history of high-risk exposure till molecular test result is negative for COVID, it added.
The department also said that Village Health & Nutrition Day (VHND) can become a means for generating awareness on TB as well as referring TB cases for examination.
ANM and ASHA workers can communicate the messages with details such as symptoms of TB, where to seek help etc.
“Respective deputy commissioners and DM&HOs are to supervise the activities,” the statement said.
