RANGPUR, March 23, 2018 (BSS) – Health experts have lauded role of the media in creating awareness to detect and bring tuberculosis (TB) patients under the cost-free Direct Observation Treatment Short (DOTS) Course treatment facilities.
They were addressing a press conference arranged at the conference room of the Civil Surgeon Office here on Thursday afternoon on the eve of the World Tuberculosis Day-24 March, 2018.
The Divisional Director (Health) Office and Civil Surgeon Office jointly organised the event under National Tuberculosis Prevention Programme of the Health Directorate under Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
With Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam in the chair, Divisional Director (Health) Dr Mostafizur Rahman attended the press conference as the chief guest.
Assistant Divisional Director (Heath) Dr Shahin Ara Haque, Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Abdul Mokadden and Consultant of Tazhat Chest Disease Hospital in Rangpur Dr Mahmudul Hassan addressed as special guests.
Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr Mostafizur Rahman read out written statement narrating the reasons behind tuberculosis infection, ongoing activities for prevention and the existing free treatment facilities across the country.
“The rate of TB infection is still higher in Rangpur division where we detected 14,121 new smear positive tuberculosis patients in 2017 and brought them under DOTS Course treatment facilities,” he said.
He discussed multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis, Extra Pulmonary, extremely drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis, micro-bacterial (MT) tuberculosis and functioning of GeneXpert Machine at Tazhat Chest Disease Hospital and Chest Disease Centres at Gaibandha, Kurigram and Thakurgaon in diagnosing MDR tuberculosis.
“The full-fledged GeneXpert Laboratories are equipped with ultra-modern GeneXpert machines and computers and are assisting the doctors to effectively diagnose MDR-TB and tuberculosis,” he said.
He explained severity of the MDR, XDR and MT tuberculosis and asked the journalists to disseminate information about the available sputum examination facilities using the computerised GeneXpert Machines at different places in Rangpur division.
Dr Mahmudul Hassan laid special emphasis on conducting quick cough test of the tuberculosis patients, taking preventive vaccines and full course intake of essential medicines without interruption, for eradicating the curable disease.
The Civil Surgeon called upon the journalists in creating awareness for building healthier Bangladesh free from tuberculosis to achieve the sustainable development goals through successful implementation of the government’s tuberculosis prevention programmes.