Pune: Health workers in Maharashtra, part of a nationwide tuberculosis survey, have uncovered as many as 24,287 people with TB symptoms in the last two months.
The 100-day national survey, which began on Dec 7, is being conducted by the health ministry and is part of its National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). Patients found with symptoms are immediately started on treatment. Seventeen rural regions and 13 municipal areas in Maharashtra were picked for the survey, which will go on till March 24.
“In these 30 locations in the state, we have focused on vulnerable populations, including the elderly, smokers, diabetes patients, those living near industrial zones and close contacts of TB patients,” said Dr Sandeep Sangale, deputy director of health (TB) in Maharashtra.
Dr Sangle said the 100-day campaign is an active surveillance measure, which means screenings are conducted on location and among people walking into govt healthcare facilities.
“Those found with symptoms in these places were given a TB test, which is why we’ve been able to uncover 24,000 cases,” he said, adding that the campaign primarily aims to improve TB detection, cut mortality rate and prevent new cases.
Data on TB detections will also be fed into the Nikshay portal, which has been developed by the Centre to monitor patients.
In Maharashtra, 1.87 lakh suspect cases were screened by the health workers through chest X-rays. Another 1.52 lakh suspect cases underwent sputum testing on NAAT devices and 1.09 lakh individuals’ sputum was tested under microscope.
A total of 24, 287 cases were detected from the suspect cases, officials said. Dr Babita Kamlapurkar, joint director (health services) Maharashtra said: “Across the state, sensitization among various medical organizations like the IMA has also been done. All departments relevant to the TB-elimination programme have been notified to participate in the campaign.”
