VARANASI: Under the National Tuberculosis Eradication Program and TB-Free India Campaign, nutrition kits were distributed on Saturday at the Urban Community Health Center Durgakund, Kashi Vidyapith, Chowkaghat, Shivpur, Bhelupur, Manduadih, LBS Hospital Ramnagar, and PHC Harhua on the occasion of Nikshay Day.
Under the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sandeep Chaudhary, the District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Piyush Rai distributed nutrition kits to 15 adopted patients at the Urban Community Center Durgakund. The CMO stated that TB is not an incurable disease, as medical science has made significant progress. In the district, TB patients are receiving better treatment in govt hospitals.
However, it is crucial that patients complete their entire treatment, as missing even a single day of medication can be detrimental.
The District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Piyush Rai mentioned that since January 2024, 15,880 TB patients were registered in the district.
Currently, 7,002 patients are undergoing treatment, including 673 patients with multi-drug-resistant TB. The district has 56 authorised microscopy centers (DMC), 4 CBNAAT labs, and 7 TrueNat labs. A total of 2,568 Nikshay Mitras are registered in the district. So far, 13,400 nutrition kits were distributed, and 46 gram panchayats were declared TB-free in 2023. Both govt and private hospitals are actively advancing this initiative.
Starting November 2024, patients are now receiving an increased amount of 1,000 rupees per month in their accounts under the Nikshay Nutrition Scheme, instead of the previous 500 rupees.
He added that persistent cough for two weeks, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fever are major symptoms of TB and should not be ignored. Those experiencing a cough for more than two weeks or coughing up blood-stained sputum should immediately get their sputum tested at the nearest govt hospital. Early detection of the disease can prevent its spread to other patients.