25 die of TB in five years in Dadeldhura

By Our Correspondent,Dadeldhura, Mar. 26: Twenty-five individuals succumbed to Tuberculosis in Dadeldhura district over the past five years. This distressing statistic was disclosed by the Dadeldhura Health Office during a programme organised on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day 2024 on Sunday. 

The grim statistics present a stark reality including three deaths in the fiscal year 2019/20, followed by six in 2020/21, three in 2021/22, seven in 2022/23, and six up to the end of February in the current fiscal year 2023/24. 

These figures shed light on the persistent threat of Tuberculosis within the region, urging for heightened vigilance and preventive measures.

Hari Prasad Bhatta, the vector control officer at the health office, informed that in the current fiscal year, four individuals from Navadurga Rural Municipality and two from Bhageshwar Rural Municipality lost their lives to TB. Bhatta highlighted a concerning trend where delayed medical attention often leads to fatal outcomes, stating that many TB-infected individuals fail to seek treatment in time.

To address TB cases, a dedicated DR (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) centre has been established at Dadeldhura Hospital. 

As of February in the current fiscal year, 89 new TB cases have been recorded in Dadeldhura. Specifically, 21 cases were identified in Amargadhi Municipality, 19 in Parashuram Municipality, and 11 each in Navadurga and Bhageswar Rural Municipality, with nine cases each in Alital, Ajaymeru, and Ganyapadhura rural municipalities.

The Tuberculosis Day was marked across the country on Sunday with a resolute pledge to tackle the persistent challenge posed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the invisible germ causing the disease. 

Despite ongoing efforts, tuberculosis continues to distress communities across the nation, reflecting a longstanding public health concern.

Nepal has undertaken a multifaceted approach, emphasising active testing of individuals in contact with tuberculosis patients, specialised management for children affected by the disease, and integrated strategies to address TB-HIV co-infection. 

Notably, the nation has recently embarked on a pioneering initiative striving to establish tuberculosis-free municipalities. Aligned with both national and global commitments, Nepal has crafted a comprehensive strategic plan, with the ambitious objective of achieving a tuberculosis-free status by 2050.

Central to this plan is the aim to eradicate the tuberculosis epidemic by 2035, followed by complete elimination of the disease by 2050. Concurrently, efforts are directed towards alleviating the financial burden associated with tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment, ultimately aiming for zero financial strain on affected individuals and communities.