Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Mar 24: Deputy commissioner (DC) Dr Rajendra K V on Wednesday March 24 said, “Each one has to play the role in disseminating information and creating awareness on Tuberculosis (TB). Only then, the disease can be eliminated.”
He was speaking during the World Tuberculosis Day-2021 programme organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat, Health, and Family Welfare department, office of the district tuberculosis controlling officer and Father Muller Medical Institution here at Decennial Memorial Hall.
The DC said, "The country will be developed, only if the citizens are healthy. In the entire world, our country has the highest number of active TB cases. Recently, the spread of the disease reduced as people used masks in the wake of Covid-19.”
He also said that the government is spending Rs 5 lac to treat patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
He said, "We should create more awareness about TB so that people will come forward for sputum tests, chest X-rays and treatment for the disease when the symptoms found."
The DC also threw light upon a few medical practitioners who treat TB patients by giving higher antibiotics without following the guidelines.
"Elimination of TB is possible only through collective response. Hence, we all should join hands in this regard," he added.
He also asked medicals students to take a pledge to identify at least 10 people with symptoms and ask them to undergo diagnosis.
“Development of the country is possible and TB can be eliminated only when active cases are traced, diagnosed, and treated,” he said.
District health officer (DHO) Ramachandra Bayari in his keynote address said, “The date marks the day when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB in 1882.
“TB is a contagious disease. This was also called the captain of diseases. The disease has a history of over 5,000 years. Even bacteria of extra pulmonary diseases were traced in the Egyptian mummies. Ancient Indian physician Sushruta also mentioned the disease in his scriptures,” he said.
He also said that at present in the state, out of one lac people, there are 153 cases of TB. The elimination is possible and it should come down to less than 10 cases of TB, he said.
Dr J P Alva dean of Father Muller Medical College (FMCC) spoke during the occasion.
Dr Antony Sylvan D'Souza of FMCC, district TB controlling officer Dr Badruddin M N, Sr Jacintha D’Souza, principal of the Father Muller College of Nursing, Dr BV Rajesh, Sharath Babu and others were present.
Ramesh H K and Princiya Veena D'Souza were honoured for their immense work in the district under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme.
Voluntary organisations namely Seon Ashram, SDM Hospital Ujire, Father Patrao Hospital Puttur, Sneha Sadan, Spandana Trust and Rotary Club Puttur were honoured.