Aizawl, May 1: Mizoram’s fight against tuberculosis (TB) saw key developments as health officials gathered for the National TB Elimination Programme’s first quarter review of 2024. The meeting was held at the Conference Hall of the DHS old building, Aizawl, on April 30. he meeting was chaired by Dr. Febiola Kharkongor, State TB Officer.
During the session, it was reported that between January and March 2024, 3,761 individuals were tested for TB in the state, identifying 595 new cases. This marks an increase from last year when 420 cases were detected.
The district-wise breakdown of TB cases detected during this period is as follows:
Aizawl: 433
Champhai: 24
Kolasib: 46
Lawngtlai: 27
Lunglei: 34
Mamit: 5
Siaha: 16
Serchhip: 10
Of special concern were the 38 cases of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and 57 instances of TB co-infected with HIV identified during this period. The mortality rate from TB stands at 5%, while the treatment success rate is at 77%. Notably, 6% of the cases involved relapse patients, and 33% were among the most vulnerable populations, including 16% who were alcohol users.
The meeting also emphasized the critical role of TB Preventive Therapy. Officials noted the importance of accurate diagnosis and consistent treatment to prevent the spread of TB. They highlighted that many TB patients were not following through with the necessary treatment, underlining the need for enhanced public health strategies to tackle this issue. Additionally, it was stressed that overcoming TB is not just about treatment but also about ensuring that preventive measures are accessible and utilized.
Health authorities continue to urge the citizens to remain vigilant and proactive in combating TB, emphasizing that early detection and consistent treatment are crucial to eliminating the disease in Mizoram.
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