Kathmandu:

March 24 has been celebrated as World Tuberculosis Day. It falls on the day German scientist Robert Kochs identified the cause of Tuberculosis (TB) — TB bacillus in 1882. This year the World TB day is being celebrated under the theme ‘TB anywhere is TB everywhere’.

Tuberculosis is generally caused by lack of nutrition and immunity. Although it is mostly seen in the lungs, it may affect any organ of the body like bone, glands and so on. Coughing for more than two weeks, a speck in the lungs, slight fever, very less stamina, blood in cough are few symptoms for lung TB. However, symptoms for TB in other organs vary — like pain

or swelling of the affected organ. Smoking and drinking multiply the chances of having TB

due to adverse effect on lungs and immunity of the body respectively.

Furthermore, TB may be communicable or non-communicable. If communicable, we can catch the disease just anywhere — crowded places, public transport, streets, cinema halls. It spreads mainly through droplets that come out while sneezing, coughing and even talking. However, TB is absolutely curable if the patient takes eight months of regular medical regimen. But a multi-drug resistant TB will sprout if the medication is not regularly taken, according to Dr Puspa Malla, director of National Tuberculosis Centre. If this happens, two years of medical regimen is needed.

“TB is most dangerous if coupled with HIV positive. In fact, most HIV positive patients are

dying early due to TB. Although TB is present in small amount in many of us, being HIV positive raises the risk of full blown TB,” says Malla.

According to her, although some amount of success has been achieved in reining in TB in Nepal, a lot more needs to be done still. “We need to raise more awareness among people. Many still don’t know the symptoms and, even if they do, are not quick to go in for a diagnosis. Besides, there are plenty who are still not aware that the medicines for TB are available for free. Furthermore, city dwellers hide their disease if they come to know of it.”

Malla warns of a calamity if the disease is not brought under control soon. “We need to reduce TB to the minimal before there is much spread of the AIDS virus. Otherwise, we may have a condition in which Africa reels under now. Therefore, fight against HIV and TB has to go hand in hand.”

According to Malla, around 40,000 TB patients are added on a yearly basis in Nepal. She is however optimistic of the chances of its minimisation in the future. “Starting from 1996, we now have Dots programme operating in almost all districts. It has been estimated that the rates of death by TB has gone down by two-thirds as compared to 1994. Nevertheless, Dots programme needs to be taken to the sub-health posts in many VDCs where people still need proper directions. And hopefully by the end of this year we can reach there too.”

On March 24, a rally is being organised from Maitighar Mandala to Birendra International Convention Centre at 10:30 am. Health and Population Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Amik Sherchan will be the chief guest.