RANGPUR, March 25, 2021 (BSS) – Health experts at a post-rally
discussion have put highest importance on ensuring timely treatment of
tuberculosis (TB) infected patients for eradication of the completely curable
disease.
They made the observation at the discussion held at the Civil Surgeon’s
conference room on Wednesday afternoon in observance of the World
Tuberculosis Day-March 24, 2021 in the city.
The Civil Surgeon Office jointly with the divisional health
administration, National Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Bangladesh (NATAB)
and brac organised the events under the National Tuberculosis Prevention
Programme (NTPP).
Earlier, physicians, health workers, nurses, teachers, public
representatives, religious leaders and NGO activists participated in the
rally abiding by the health directives in the wake of the coronavirus
pandemic.
With Civil Surgeon Dr. Herambo Kumar Roy in the chair, Divisional
Director (Health) Dr Ahad Ali attended the discussion as chief guest.
Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam addressed
the occasion as special guest.
Divisional Tuberculosis Expert of NTPP Dr Rana Chowdhury, Rangpur unit
President of NATAB Shah Md. Nabiullah Panna, Senior Area Supervisor of brac
for Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions Md. Nasir Uddin, its Programme Organiser
SM Liyakat Hossain, among others, spoke.
Civil Surgeon Dr Roy discussed the present tuberculosis situation in
Rangpur, reasons behind tuberculosis infection, government activities for
prevention of tuberculosis and available cost-free treatment facilities.
The experts discussed the severity, symptoms and available treatment
facilities of multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis, Extra Pulmonary,
extremely drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis and mycobacterium (MT)
tuberculosis in Rangpur.
They also discussed functioning of GeneXpert Machines available at
Tazhat Chest Disease Hospital in Rangpur and Chest Disease Centres (CDCs) at
Gaibandha, Kurigram and Thakurgaon districts for diagnosing various types of
tuberculosis.
The chief guest suggested examining sputum (saliva) using computerised
devices and facilities at GeneXpert Laboratory and CDCs equipped with modern
GeneXpert Machines to effectively diagnose the MDR and other types of
tuberculosis.
“Ensuring early detection of tuberculosis infected patients and timely
treatment are crucial alongside taking preventive vaccines and full course
intake of essential medicines without any interruption for their complete
recovery,” he added.