Meghalaya tackles tuberculosis: 4500 active cases with treatment success below 90%

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 9, 2024

The state of Meghalaya continue to grapple with one of the world’s oldest diseases – tuberculosis with the state reporting to have around 4500 active cases while the treatment success rate is less than 90 per cent.

Speaking at the launch of 100 days campaign (Ni-Kshay Shivir) and Meghalaya Comprehensive TB Care at Mawlai Mawroh, Mission Director National Health Mission, Ram Kumar S said, “In Meghalaya, we have about 4500 active TB patients who are taking treatment at different levels, and our treatment success rate is close to 87%-88% but ideally need to be more than 90%.”

Commissioner & Secretary Heallth & Family Welfare Joram Beda said a lot needs to be done to tackle TB cases despite advacements in science and technology in the country.

Stating that the testing rates have increased, “The case rates, the incidence of the disease has almost stabilized, but still, the numbers are significant, and there is a lot of work to be done. It’s been paradoxical that in this era, when we as a country, a very strong and modern country, we are capable of developing intercontinental ballistic missiles. We are able to send probes to  Mars. We are developing some of the best supercomputers in the country. But diseases such as tuberculosis, we are still not able to solve.”

According to him, there is a close connection between high dropout rates, high TFR, leading to malnutrition and poverty.

The Action taken

Putting up a brave fight against TB, Kumar stressed on the need to identify the TB cases at the earliest,  and follow them with nutritional support and ensure that it doesn’t spread to the next person. 

He said that the recovery is excellent  if proper nutrition is provided to a TB patient.

On the other hand, Beda informed the government will soon launch the ambulance with mobile testing lab so that people can get themselves tested.

Skilling TB patients

Kumar said the state is focused in early identification, treatment, curing, and then actually skilling the TB survivors so that they are engaged in some economic activity. 

The skilling programs for TB survivors has been done through the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society

The program is also being launched in all the other districts of Meghalaya, particularly the five districts where the burden of TB is slightly on the higher side – West West Garo Hillls, Ri Bhoi, East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, and East Khasi Hills.

A national level launch of the 100 days TB campaign was also launched on Saturday, culminating in the month of March, with an aim to be TB free by 2025.

Featured Image Credit: Meghalaya Health