Kerala: Private hospitals show tepid response in fighting Tuberculosis

KOZHIKODE: The private medical field’s lukewarm response to the fight against Tuberculosis is the major stumbling block in fighting the communicable disease. Kerala has set an ambitious target to become TB-free by 2035 and the pilot programme is being implemented in Wayanad and Idukki districts. According to Kozhikode TB officer Dr Pramodkumar P.P, there are 1,617 patients in the district as on February 28. The government notification to all private hospitals/clinics/practitioners including alternative medicine practitioners to report TB cases through the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has come into existence a year ago, but only negligible reporting is being done.

“We had sent the notification and procedures for reporting to 650 private hospitals and medical practitioners. But only 50 have responded,” lamented Dr Pramodkumar. The details of the patient could be uploaded online on the government website, ‘Nikshay’. Besides, a mobile app has been provided to make the process easier, still the response is lukewarm. Another complaint against the private sector is that there is no consistent follow up. This leads to the increase of multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR) and leaves the officers concerned clueless about the data of TB patients.

Patients, registered with RNTCP are given treatment through Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) mode, where trained healthcare workers or other designated individuals provide the prescribed drugs and ensure that patients swallow every dose. IMA state president Dr V.G Pradeep Kumar noted that the government needs to strengthen its campaign. “The link between the government and the private medical sector needs to be streamlined. The TB care cell of the IMA is conducting seminars and workshops to this end,” he said. According to the district TB cell, the migrant population and coastal belt are areas of concern.