Covid-19 has disrupted life across India as we know it. Response to this pandemic has impacted other health services of which tuberculosis ...
Covid-19 has disrupted life across India as we know it. Response to this pandemic has impacted other health services of which tuberculosis is the most significant. With similar clinical symptoms, TB and Covid-19 present a deadly mix for India’s health system. TB, though curable, remains India’s severest health crisis killing over 1,200 Indians daily with delays in diagnosis, treatment, access and possibly increased suffering, mental health issues for those affected.
The TB programme and its services have been badly hit in the Covid-19 pandemic. Our recent analysis of on-ground cases and reports reveal that both diagnosis and treatment are significantly affected.
Nonavailability of drugs
TB affected individuals, especially those suffering from pulmonary TB, are frightened of Covid-19 and are not visiting labs and hospitals for diagnosis. Those advised the crucial drug susceptibility testing are either not getting it done or the test is not happening easily. This is evident in the TB notifications for new cases have been falling consistently. Though India ordered bidirectional screening for TB and Covid, its implementation is not likely to be easy.
Patients affected by drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB patients are also unable to access medicines putting the treatment in jeopardy and likely increasing in transmission. The lack of transportation has restricted the...
