Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh has reported around 13,892 notified paediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases, as per ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) report 2024 that was released this year.
In 2022, Madhya Pradesh reported 14,475 pediatric TB cases, comprising approximately 7.7% of the total TB cases in the state. Madhya Pradesh then ranked second in the country for TB cases among tribal populations and has a major burden of childhood TB cases.
A concerning number of child TB patients in the state are going untreated due to a shortage of pediatric TB medication.
As per doctors, child tuberculosis is mainly due to malnutrition, Covid-19 effect and rise in drug-resistant TB among other factors. However, better screening of tuberculosis at childhood stage leads to a better prospect of diagnosis.
Dr Lokendra Dave, HoD of Gandhi Medical college (GMC) pulmonary medicines, said, “Big figures show that screening is good in Madhya Pradesh. Even at school level, children below 14 years of age are screened. So earlier detection leads to early diagnosis and it helps in tracking down TB patients, when children become adults.”
There is a significant gap in the availability of pediatric TB medication in MP, leading to untreated cases, the doctor further stated.
