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Extra measures needed to control TB in Tharparkar

KARACHI: Inhabitants of Tharparkar currently passing through one of the most acute drought phases and thus exposed to wide range of diseases, more particularly tuberculosis require urgent support to ensure 100 percent compliance to the prescribed therapy.

Thardip an NGO, mainly comprising doctors and health care providers working in the area has reported to identify some 1500 cases of TB, pertaining to only around 200 villages of the area.

The poverty stricken patients mainly falling below five years and above 50 age groups, respectively are stated to be in little position to ensure full compliance to the defined treatment.

Medication comprising an intensive nine months course costs an estimated amount of Rs 5000 per patient, absolutely non-affordable for the inflicted individuals or their families. It has been noticed that a few affected individuals though through support of philanthropists did start with the drug therapy but owing to reasons failed to continue with it thus enhancing their chances of drug resistance as well as eruption of TB resistant strain within the very environment.

"Under the given scenario TB in some of the villages has also noticed to be resistant to first line of drugs compelling need to initiate second generation drug course, which comprising combination of different drugs also enhances the cure rate," Dr Mobina Agboatwala, co-ordinator of HOPE and working in close co-ordination with Thardip said. APP