MDR-TB, a matter of serious concern
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: June 27 2012 -

Ningombam Pramod from the desk

Multi Drug Resistant TB is a form of TB that does not respond to standard treatments using first-line drugs.

Multi Drug Resistance Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a deadly strain of the disease which emerges as a result of low quality health systems, poor quality drugs, lack of accessibility to treatment, and when a patient intermittently takes his medicines or fails to complete his treatment.

This form of TB, which has claimed many a life not only in the third world countries but also in various developed countries, is a matter of serious concern.

According to TB India -2012, the annual status report, 2012 of the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) brought out by the Union Health Ministry, as many as 38,287 suspected cases have been examined till the end of 2011 and of them 10,267 have been diagnosed with MDR-TB and 6994 has been put on treatment.

As of late, India ranks second among the 27 MDR-TB high-burden countries worldwide after China.

As far as TB or MDR-TB is concern, Manipur, of all, could not be left out. This is because of the fact that Manipur is above the national average of people with MDR-TB.

The average rate of people infected by MDR-TB in the country is 12-18 percent. However, the rate of infection in the state of Manipur is more than double the all India rate with 28 persons from among the 73 persons tested for MDR-TB in the state were tested positive which is about 38 percent.

With such a serious case engulfing the people of the state, MDR-TB cannot be just left out on its own in the state.

The government needs to seriously discuss the issue at the top hierarchy. The legislatures and other personnel concerned need to be sensitized in this regard.

Unfortunately, in the state of Manipur, there is only one place where MDR-TB can be treated and it is found in JNIMS. But the most embarrassing part is that the only centre in Manipur where the treatment procedure is to be carried out is still under construction and as such there is no place for its treatment at present.

With such serious life threatening conditions prevailing in the state, it is really disheartening that the government is still remaining silent over the issue with no alternative arrangements being made for the patients whose life are at stake.

However, considering the seriousness of TB in the state, Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing has recently underscored the need for setting up of a separate Health and TB Policy of the state.

The initiative, though praiseworthy, should not be just a mob controlling speech, rather should be soothing balm for all those infected by the deadly disease.

Above all, proper infrastructural set up, adequate manpower, trained officers under RNTCP and sufficient medical staff participation in TB programmes could help in proper implementation of TB control programme in the state.

This should be the mantra for all those in the field as it has become a matter of serious concern in the state.