Each year two million fresh cases of TB are detected and every single minute, one precious life is lost due to tuberculosis in the country. A speedy and correct diagnosis. Effective treatment with quality drugs. Elimination of treatment dropouts. Early detection of a suspected case is key to tuberculosis control.
Most people have a false notion that tuberculosis is a disease of the under privileged and elderly.
Tuberculosis on the contrary recognizes no socio-economic or age barriers. In many instances, physicians tend to ignore the symptoms and keep on treating patients for other ailments thus leading to a delay in accurate diagnosis and initiation of treatment. The patient on his part can help the treating physician by explaining to him the symptoms truthfully and in detail. Sputum examination is a cost effective and reliable test, which guides the physician in choosing the right treatment regimen and monitoring treatment. An undue over reliance by physicians on repeated X-Ray examination adds to the cost of treatment and needs to be used prudently.