Tuberculosis on the rise in Navi Mumbai

Belapur: Tuberculosis (TB) is on the rise in Navi Mumbai, according to the figures revealed by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). In all, 1,282 TB patients are undergoing treatment across various health centres of the NMMC.

In the period between January and December 2013, 671 cases of TB were reported, while in 2012 the number of cases was 650. In the last few months alone, 93 cases of TB have been detected in Navi Mumbai.

According to officials, "The number of TB patients is higher in slum areas of the city. NMMC has undertaken various programmes to control the spread of TB and awareness campaigns are being conducted, too, regularly. TB is curable if the patient completes his six months' medicine course. However, most times it is seen that patients abandon their treatment mid-way, resulting in the relapse of the disease."

Meanwhile, on the occasion of World TB Day on Monday, NMMC's health department, in association with social organisations, held awareness programmes that included a rally, street play and exhibition.
Pamphlets informing about tuberculosis were distributed to residents and through street plays it was informed on care to be taken if anyone contracts TB. During the whole week, street plays will be staged across 50 locations to spread awareness about TB.

NMMC is in the process of constructing three hospitals in the city, wherein it has made provision for separate wards for TB patients. An official said, "The wards that we are constructing are as per the norms laid down by the central government under its revised national tuberculosis programme. A team of experts from the central government visited the place and gave a go-ahead to the project."