Mumbai : After receiving recommendations from World Health Organization (WHO) regarding change in the medicine dosages for TB patients, the health department has showed a green flag for the revised medicine pattern wherein from March, TB patients at Sewri TB hospital will be given medicines throughout the week instead of only three days in a week.
The new revised medicine pattern of TB will be applicable to five states including Maharashtra, Bihar, Sikkim, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh.
This move has come considering the rising deaths owing to TB for which right dosages of medicines with immediate effect needs to be administered.
Currently, TB patients at Sewri TB hospital get dosages on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. From March, the medicines will be made available to them throughout the week.
Dr Lalit Anande, chief medical officer of Sewri TB hospital, said: “We have been following the pattern of three dosages of medicines in a week for the past 10 years. With medicines being given on alternate days, there was a high risk of increase of bacteria in the patient and we were witnessing more number of deaths. Following this, the WHO had recommended a change in the medicine pattern in order to control the deaths with dosages of medicines that will provide immediate relief and cure from the disease.”
Meanwhile, Dr Rajendra Nanaware, medical superintendent of the hospital, said: “After receiving nod from the health department, the revised medicine pattern for TB patients will be starting from March. For now, only five states in the country have got the permission but slowly it will start in other states as well.”