BSS, Savar :
Tuberculosis (TB) caused by the infectious agent called Mycobacterium tuberculosis generally responds well to anti-TB drugs. In some persons, these first line drugs are not effective as the causative organism becomes resistant to these. This condition is known as Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
According to experts, an estimated 450,000 people developed MDR-TB and at least 170,000 deaths were caused by the disease in 2012 globally. Bangladesh ranks 10th among 27 high MDR-TB burden countries and the emergence of MDR-TB has become a major threat for TB control in Bangladesh.
A general TB patient gets cured completely if he or she takes drugs for six months regularly. If the patient does not take drugs regularly, or does not complete full course or if the drugs are of below quality, then TB germs become drug-resistant. This is called MDR-TB and it is not generally cured with existing drugs. The patients have to take new drugs for about 22 to 24 months.
Nasima Begum, 22, a resident of Savar, near the capital city, fell in trouble as she was suffering from cold and fever for a long time. One day, Rahima Begum, Shaysthsa Sebika (SS) of BRAC, came to know about her condition and collected her sputum. The sputum was sent to upazila health complex where it was diagnosed that Nasima was suffering from tuberculosis (TB).
Rahima advised her to remain tension-free as drugs of the disease are available and it will be cured with the regular intake of that for six months.
Nasima is now taking the drugs for free from Rahima under the directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) system and she now feels better.
Data available from ministry of health and family welfare show that about 3 lakh people of Bangladesh get affected by TB annually. However, many of the MDR-TB patients stay out of the treatment facilities for various reasons.
The government has taken a project, Health Nutrition Population Programme (HNPP), to curb the disease with the assistance of different non-government organizations and it is expected that the deaths caused by TB would come down to half within 2015.
Health experts appreciate the government efforts for detecting TB patients and bringing them under cost-free direct observation treatment short course (DOTS) programme at village, ward, union, upazila, district and city corporation levels.
Tuberculosis (TB) caused by the infectious agent called Mycobacterium tuberculosis generally responds well to anti-TB drugs. In some persons, these first line drugs are not effective as the causative organism becomes resistant to these. This condition is known as Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
According to experts, an estimated 450,000 people developed MDR-TB and at least 170,000 deaths were caused by the disease in 2012 globally. Bangladesh ranks 10th among 27 high MDR-TB burden countries and the emergence of MDR-TB has become a major threat for TB control in Bangladesh.
A general TB patient gets cured completely if he or she takes drugs for six months regularly. If the patient does not take drugs regularly, or does not complete full course or if the drugs are of below quality, then TB germs become drug-resistant. This is called MDR-TB and it is not generally cured with existing drugs. The patients have to take new drugs for about 22 to 24 months.
Nasima Begum, 22, a resident of Savar, near the capital city, fell in trouble as she was suffering from cold and fever for a long time. One day, Rahima Begum, Shaysthsa Sebika (SS) of BRAC, came to know about her condition and collected her sputum. The sputum was sent to upazila health complex where it was diagnosed that Nasima was suffering from tuberculosis (TB).
Rahima advised her to remain tension-free as drugs of the disease are available and it will be cured with the regular intake of that for six months.
Nasima is now taking the drugs for free from Rahima under the directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) system and she now feels better.
Data available from ministry of health and family welfare show that about 3 lakh people of Bangladesh get affected by TB annually. However, many of the MDR-TB patients stay out of the treatment facilities for various reasons.
The government has taken a project, Health Nutrition Population Programme (HNPP), to curb the disease with the assistance of different non-government organizations and it is expected that the deaths caused by TB would come down to half within 2015.
Health experts appreciate the government efforts for detecting TB patients and bringing them under cost-free direct observation treatment short course (DOTS) programme at village, ward, union, upazila, district and city corporation levels.
