Team denies existence of TDR TB
Denying the existence of Totally Drug Resistant (TDR) Tuberculosis, the Central team, which held its final meeting at St. George’s Hospital Complex on Wednesday claimed that the fatal form of TB, which had created panic in the country was in fact Extra Extensively Drug Resistat (XXDR) TB.
The Central team comprised senior chief medical officer, Central TB Division (CTD), Consultant (drug resistant TB), CTD and national programme officer (laboratories) and WHO-India.
Dr S.K. Jindal, chief of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) said, “It was inappropriate on PD Hinduja’s part to use the term TDR-TB because no such TB exists. Neither is there any kind of TB, which is totally drug resistant. The 12 cases that were identified were not TDR-TB cases. They were excessively resistant.”
Another major decision that the government took, was to make the treatment of all kinds of TB absolutely free.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has also undertaken a five-pronged programme with regards to the Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MRT) and Extensively Drug Resistant (EDR) and XXDR-TB.
“Firstly, we will strengthen our organisation, after which we will increase the number of directly observed treatment short (DOTS) — course for TB treatment — centres to 24 from six in the city. The number of beds in GTB Hospital in Sewree will be increased to 90. A testing lab of the same level as JJ will be set up at GTB in the next five to six months. Each DOTS site will have a dedicated TB officer, who will not just administer, but also follow up and monitor of patients so that they do not drop out of the course of treatment.”
Meanwhile, Dr Camilla Rodrigues, microbiologist and chairman infection control committee from Hinduja Hospital, said, “We are confident about our study.”
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