Advising patients against hiding tuberculosis due to stigma, the district health department on Wednesday announced that the C-Y TB test, which checks for TB, is available for free at a dozen government hospitals in the state capital.

The C-Y TB skin test has been launched in Bhopal to detect tuberculosis (TB) infection. It accurately confirms the presence of TB bacteria in the body.

However, individuals who test positive do not spread TB to others but are at a higher risk of developing it in the future.

The Government of India aims to eliminate TB by 2025. Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, family members of TB patients and other high-risk groups are recommended to receive Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT).

The C-Y TB test has been introduced for this purpose, as it provides precise information about TB infection. For results, individuals must return to the health facility within 48 to 72 hours, where a doctor or health worker will examine the area of skin where the test solution was applied.

If the result is positive, TPT will be given to reduce the risk of developing TB.Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Prabhakar Tiwari stated that family members living with TB patients, healthcare workers, and those with immune-suppressing diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, or who are on dialysis, are at higher risk of developing TB. Therefore, the test is particularly useful for these individuals.

The test is conducted for those aged 18 years and above. After the test, the area of skin should not be rubbed or scratched.