All posts tagged: World TB Day

Women are leading the fight against TB

Published by Parlour News

Today, on World TB Day, it is worth reiterating that the government’s goal, particularly that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is to make India TB-mukt Bharat. These efforts have seen women leaders at the grassroots becoming actively involved in the TB elimination programme, with a special emphasis on tuberculosis among women. A study held a few years ago by King George Medical University (KGMU) of 960 newly diagnosed cases of tuberculosis among women showed that at least 25% reported being isolated and discriminated against in their homes, 18% were rejected by their husbands and in-laws and 40% taken off the marriage market. Infected women were rarely cared for by their families, but wives had to take care of infected men. PREMIUM Awareness and early treatment are even more vital given that women and girls make up nearly one million of the estimated 2.8 million TB cases in India each year (HT PHOTO) Fearing discrimination by families and their communities, many hide their condition, missing out on vital treatment and nutrition. Experts report feelings of anxiety, …

TB, HIV patients, activists seek PM’s intervention over frequent shortages of anti-TB drugs

Published by Parlour News

The letter highlighted the shortage of drugs essential for treating drug-sensitive TB (DS-TB). Representational file image. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of World TB Day, which is observed on March 24, activists, public health experts, tuberculosis survivors, and people living with HIV sought his urgent intervention to halt what they said were frequent shortages of anti-TB drugs. The letter highlighted the shortage of drugs essential for treating drug-sensitive TB (DS-TB). “As a country with the highest burden of tuberculosis in the world, we are deeply disturbed that India is experiencing stock outs of critically required drugs to treat people with TB,” the group said, in its letter. Also read | A model that provides all TB services under one roof “Till February 2024, [these] drugs — 4FDC-1 st line DSTB-IP(Adult) Isoniazid, Refampicin, Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol, 3FDC-1 st line DSTB-CP(Adult) Isoniazid, Refampicin, and Ethambutol — are facing shortages. This is as per the limited information received from the community/TB people in the affected areas and records only a fraction …

BMC initiative | A vaccine trial to prevent TB: Adults to get BCG jab starting May | Mumbai News

Published by Parlour News

The BMC’s health department has announced it will administer the BCG vaccine to adults as part of a proactive measure to curb tuberculosis (TB). This decision comes amidst a trial study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of the vaccine in TB prevention. The civic body has identified six high-risk groups, aged 18 and above, in the city to take part in this trial. However, since it is a voluntary vaccination, written consent will need to be obtained from eligible beneficiaries before administering the vaccine. The trial will begin in May. Every year March 24 is observed worldwide as World TB Day, advocating for concerted global action to combat this infectious disease. Aligning with this year’s theme, “Yes, We Can End TB,” the BMC has embarked on a trial initiative deploying the BCG vaccine. The initiative is bolstered by collaborative efforts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), who have initiated the vaccination programme. “The vaccine trials will be implemented systematically, with health volunteers and ASHA workers conducting surveys …