To mark ‘World Tuberculosis Day’ on March 24, free treatment will be provided to patients earmarked under the Chhattisgarh-wide door-to-door campaign to identify TB patients.
Tuberculosis Control Programme State Nodal Officer Dr Dharmendra Gahvai said that for identification of TB patients, a door-to-door campaign was organized. Of the 2.63 crore people screened, 2,300 were identified.
He said all these patients will be provided medicines under guidance. The treatment period is six months. In certain conditions, the treatment can be extended. Once the patient recovers, the medicines can be stopped.
TB patients who recover will be trained to sensitize people on identifying patients, who will be motivated to undergo treatment, he added.
He said the symptoms of TB are persistent cough for more than two weeks, release of sputum, spitting blood, loss of weight, lack of appetite and fever during night. The bacteria spreads through air when patients sneeze or cough or spit.