Experts for early detection of tuberculosis for its eradication

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RANGPUR, March 24, 2018 (BSS) – Health experts at a post-rally discussion today laid emphasis on early detection of the tuberculosis (TB) infected patients to bring them under the cost-free treatment facilities for eradication of the curable disease.

They expressed the opinion in the discussion held at the conference room of the Civil Surgeon Office here in observance of the World Tuberculosis Day-March 24, 2018 with the theme of `Wanted: Leaders for a TB-Free World, You Can Make History. End TB.’

The Divisional Director (Health) Office and Civil Surgeon Office jointly with National Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Bangladesh (NATAB) and other organisations organised the rally and discussion under the National Tuberculosis Prevention Programme to observe the day.

With Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam in the chair, Assistant Divisional Director (Health) Dr Mahbub Hassan addressed the discussion as the chief guest.

Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Abdul Mokaddem, Sadar Upazila Heath and Family Planning Officer Dr Rabi Sankar Mandal, Junior Consultant of Tazhat Chest Disease Hospital in Rangpur Dr SM Mahmud Hassan, Divisional Manager of BRAC Nasir Uddin, President of Rangpur unit of NATAB Shah Md Nabiullah Panna, addressed as special guests.

The Civil Surgeon discussed about the present tuberculosis situation in Rangpur district, reasons behind tuberculosis infection, activities of the government for prevention of tuberculosis and the existing cost-free treatment facilities.

Earlier, a huge rally participated by the physicians, officials, health workers, nurses, teachers, students, public representatives, religious leaders, civil society members, NGO activists and local elite, was brought out in the city.

Dr SM Mahmud Hassan discussed about the severity, symptoms and available treatment facilities of multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis, Extra Pulmonary, extremely drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis and micro-bacterial (MT) tuberculosis.

He narrated about functioning of GeneXpert Machines available at Tazhat Chest Disease Hospital Laboratory in Rangpur and Chest Disease Centres (CDCs) at Gaibandha, Kurigram and Thakurgaon districts for diagnosing various types of tuberculosis.

The chief guest said the GeneXpert Laboratory and CDCs are well-equipped with ultra-modern GeneXpert Machines for examining sputum using computerised devices and facilities to effectively diagnose the MDR and other types of tuberculosis.

“The tuberculosis infected patients should conduct quick cough test, take preventive vaccines and full course intake of essential medicines without any interruption for their complete recovery to eradicate the curable disease from the country,” he said.