Maharashtra to pump Rs80 lakh to modernise TB hospitals

The extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XXDR-TB) strain in 11 patients in the city has inadvertently highlighted the deplorable condition of hospitals treating the disease, giving them a new lease of life. The state government with help from the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has decided to pump in Rs80 lakh as initial assistance for upkeep and modernisation of these hospitals.

There are four TB hospitals in the state — one each in Sangli, Pune, Amravati and Sewri in Mumbai. For decades, these hospitals have been in neglect. They are woefully short of doctors and lack required medical equipment. The buildings are in a bad state. Garbage is strewn all over the premises. There is little effort to draw patients to these hospitals.

Now, with TB creating panic in the state, the government has woken up to the need to improve services in these hospitals.

The NRHM and the state plan to ensure these hospitals are among the best in the country.

“There will be more financial help once work starts. We want to improve the TB hospitals in the state to ensure people get the best treatment and to eliminate XXDR-TB altogether from Maharashtra,” a senior health department official told DNA.

The state has also decided to set up accredited labs across Maharashtra to detect TB cases. “With help from NRHM, we will be able to generate funds. We will fill the vacant posts of doctors and paramedics,” said Dr PY Gaikwad, joint director, state health department. A request has been made to the government to provide N95 masks to the staff at all TB hospitals.

The four hospitals have been crying for help for several years. “There is lack of infrastructure. Most doctors and other staff don’t want to work in these hospitals. So, patients opt for private hospitals. The recent TB cases have created a scare among doctors in these hospitals. They want to quit as well,” an official said.

The government initiative might just prompt them to change their minds. The TB hospital in Sewri is managed by the civic body which plans to provide protein-rich food to the hospital staff. The state health department has initiated a probe after the discovery of 11 XXDR-TB cases while the central health department has suggested corrective measures.