BHOPAL: The number of TB patients is more than seven lakhs in the state and as such a major challenge which arises in the treatment of TB patients is regular intake of medicines. Dr Manoj Verma, district TB officer, says that a major challenge in total eradication of TB is the emergence of multi drug resistance and extreme drug resistance, which arise out of irregular or no intake of medicines.
“Just after the intake of medicines, the virus becomes inactive and the symptoms wear out in 2-3 months. It is here that the patient stops taking medicines considering that the disease has been completely healed and that’s where the problem arises. The disease is completely curable only when a patient takes the full course. Otherwise the body becomes resistant to the drugs and then the disease gets closer to being fatal. The patient requires second and third line of medicines for curing the disease. It is fatal if remains untreated and completely curable if treated properly,” he said.
The Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) has come up with a solution to the problem of not taking medicines by patients. A component called 99 Dots has been introduced wherein the patient will get a number inside the medicine pack which he/she will have to dial to a toll free help desk to register completion of that particular dose of medication. If the patient does not call within a stipulated time frame, reminders are sent to him/her, which, if unheeded will be followed up by a visit by DOT provider. Dr Manoj Verma said 99 DOT could actually help curb this problem. And this will help in monitoring adherence to tuberculosis medication.
TB in Bhopal
