‘India second in list of TB burden countries’

There has been a tremendous growth in the number of tuberculosis (TB) patients during 2006-2011 and India stands second in the list of high burden TB countries after China. Around 2.3 million per a population of 1 crore are TB patients and 0.32 million die due to this illness in India, according to a survey conducted by Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP).

The figures were revealed at workshop jointly organised by the Central TB Division, State TB Cell of Kerala, here on Thursday. The workshop held at IMA House, was aimed at revising the updates in the RNTCP and reviewing the progress made by the Zonal Task Force during 2011. The RNTCP also aims at attracting young doctors to TB control activities and familiarising them to modern diagnostic and treatment methods.

“It was also found in the RNTCP study that 13 per cent of the TB patients are HIV positive. Directly Observed Therapy Short course( DOTS) is the best available treatment for those suffering from TB and HIV. The DOTS prevents TB from spreading and the chance for a failure in the treatment is very less,” said Dr Ashok Kumar, DDG (TB).