Date:02/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120250150100.htm

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Campaign to enhance awareness on TB

D. Radhakrishnan

Udhagamandalam: An intensive campaign is on in the Nilgiris district to enhance awareness about tuberculosis (TB). In a systematic manner medical teams have, over the past few months, been fanning out to different parts of the district to teach various sections of society about how the malady can be kept at bay and how it can be prevented from spreading. Spearheading the campaign is the Nilgiris District Deputy Director of Medical Services (TB) P.J. Vasanthan.

Dr.Vasanthan told The Hindu that the biggest obstacle in combating the malady was lack of awarenes. During the campaign a message conveyed to the people is: “If you are coughing and suffering from sputum-related problems continuously for about three weeks rush to a TB specialist.”

Claiming that it was having a salutary effect, he said ignoring symptoms could not only be life-threatening but also harmful to society. Though people of all ages were equally vulnerable, those in the 15 to 45 age range were most prone to contracting the disease. Wherever the campaign caravan went, the paramount importance of early diagnosis and Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) was highlighted, Dr. Vasanthan said. Pointing out that the campaign team had already covered a number of schools and colleges, he said with the help of non-governmental organisations the benefits of the campaign were being extended to tribals. The campaign was laying special emphasis on conducting awareness programmes in tea gardens, he said.

Stating that insanitary conditions aggravated the problem, he said a major contributory factor was the habit of spitting in public places. There were eight microscopy centres run by the government and two attached to non-governmental organisations, he said. Every month about 20 pulmonary TB cases were reported. While the treatment cost worked out to about Rs. 1,500 a month in the private sector, the total cost in government hospitals was only Rs. 5,000. The intensive campaign would go on till March 2008. Dr.Vasanthan said a worldwide goal was to wipe out TB by 2050.