Tuberculosis and Dengue have emerged as the largest infectious disease threats in Mumbai. Since 2008, incidences and deaths due to TB and dengue have only increased according to data collected from BMC and the state government.
Cases of tuberculosis have sharply spiked by up to 20% over the last one year. In 2012 – 13, 36,417 cases of TB were reported in BMC and state government's hospitals, which rose to 43,664 in 2013-14. One in every six patients of TB died due to the infection.
Cases of dengue have spiked by close to 50% over the past one year. In 2012-13, 4,867 cases of dengue were reported in BMC and state government's hospitals and dispensaries, which rose to 7,260 cases in 2013 – 14. "Also, if BMC figures are anything to go by, this year, one in every 67 patients of dengue died," said Nitai Mehta, founder trustee of Praja Foundation.
Of statistics analyzed for TB, dengue, malaria, diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, instances of TB and dengue were the highest. Lifestyle diseases are also on an increase, with cases of diabetes recording a spike of 67% from 24,945 cases in 2012-13 to 41,873 cases in 2013-14. Cases of high blood pressure have increased by 28% from 28,724 to 36,696 over the past year.
BMC-run hospitals and dispensaries are grossly understaffed. "26% of the doctors' posts in hospitals lay unfilled, 20% lecturer posts in medical colleges are vacant and 15% nursing staff posts are have not been filled," state the RTI findings.
Also, there has been a rise in the percentage of annual family income spent by households in hospitalization and medical costs. Praja Foundation and Hansa Research surveyed 22,580 households spread across socio-economic classes ranging from rich to poor and concluded that there was a spike in the amount of money a household spent on medical costs as compared to last year. "In 2013, 7.1% of the annual family income was spent on hospitalization and medicines which has spiked to 7.9% this year," said Milind Mhaske, project director at Praja Foundation.
BMC has rubbished the allegations that there has been underreporting of data. It also does not take into consideration data collected from cause of death reports.
"Cause of death data cannot be counted as a confirmed death. In BMC, we adopt the diagnostic approach, and only report deaths which are confirmed through diagnosis. Cause of death certificates are issued by non-allopathic doctors too. As per BMC, only 11 people have died of dengue in 2013," said Dr Mangala Gomare, chief epidemiologist, BMC.
Cases of tuberculosis spiked by up to 20% over last year.
In 2012 – 13, 36,417 cases of to 43,664 cases in 2013-14.
Cases of dengue have spiked by close to 50% over the past one year.
In 2012-13, 4867 cases of dengue were reported
7260 cases in 2013 – 14
Cases of diabetes recording a spike of 67% from 24,945 cases in 2012-13 to 41,873 cases in 2013-14.
Cases of high blood pressure have increased by 28% from 28,724 to 36,696 over the past year
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