PANJIM, OCT 5
Under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) over 1500 TB cases are detected in Goa annually but current rate of detection of 58 per cent is less than the rate fixed under RNTCP.
One of the objectives of RNTCP is to achieve and maintain a cure rate of at least 85 per cent among newly detected infectious (new sputum smear positive).
Dr Jose De Sa, Chief Medical Officer, in-charge of T B Control population says they are not able to match detection rate of 70 per cent primarily because 45-50 per cent of people in Goa take treatment with private health cares.
The detection rate is also affected since the department finds it difficult to keep track of spread of TB among floating population. Thirdly, missed cases also remain undiagnosed, stated Dr De sa while speaking at media sensitization workshop on RNTCP held at Directorate Health Services (DHS) on Tuesday here.
As per RNTCP objective — they have to achieve and maintain a cure rate of at least 85 per cent among newly detected infectious cases.
However, he says their performance has improved in the last one year or so and they will meet the target set.
The department has developed partnership with private sector to determine the number of TB cases treated by private doctors.
Moreover, RNTCP is rigorously implemented to achieve its target by focusing on Pulmonary TB (infection is caused in lungs and infectious )as 85 per cent of the cases are of this category whereas 15 per cent cases are extra-pulmonary (infection happen in other parts of the body).
The treatment regiment is divided into three categories and the patient is put under one of the three treatment category depending on his status of the disease involving two phases — intensive phase and continuation phase.
At government centre all medicine under RNTCP programme are given free of cost.
TB among HIV
A HIV positive person is sixty per cent more at risk of getting TB. Since 2009 all TB patients are referred for counseling to take HIV test, said Dr Vandana Dhume, Health Officer, associated with TB Control Programme.
Between July and December 2009, 666 (71 per cent) of 944 patients registered took HIV test. Of these 46 persons (7 per cent) were found to be HIV positive, observed Dr Dhume.
Where in 2010 (upto June) about 1007 TB patients took HIV test and of this 89 (9 per cent) were found to be carrier of HIV. Such patients are then put on Anti-retroviral Treatment (ART).
DOTS Plus: The department is soon to introduce multiple drug resistance programme. This programme is for TB patients who develop resistance to drugs currently prescribed for cure of TB and needs second of line treatment. About 5 per cent of the total cases develop resistance to drugs.
And for them soon DOTs plus will be introduced in the State, adds Dr De Sa. This is 27 months long treatment,
