Maharashtra: Killer TB! Over 20,000 died in past 3 years
What's the story
Mumbai's rising pollution is surely putting a toll on its public health. During a session of the state government, it was discovered that 20,213 people died of tuberculosis/TB in the state, since the past 3-years. More alarming is 18% of the deaths are from Mumbai. In the past three years, 3.77 lakh patients were diagnosed with TB; among them, 71,368 hailed from Mumbai.
WHO guidelines?
State government planning to open a research center
Startled by the data, the state government is planning to open a research center. "We had a state-of-the-art research center at JJ Hospital in the past. The research center needs to be revived if the government really wants to combat the disease effectively," said BJP MLA Rahul Aher, adding that owing to its geography, following the WHO guidelines might be difficult for the state.
More labs soon
Over Rs. 7,600 crore allotted by state to combat TB
TB treatment can be done in the 24 district TB centers and 59 TB units in the city. "Culture and DST (Department of Science and Technology) laboratories have been operational at JJ and Hinduja hospitals. Three others will be made operational at GTB Hospital, Metropolis Healthcare and SRL Limited," Sawant said, adding that state has allotted Rs. 7,621 crore to combat TB.
Bachchan TB survivor
Nearly 18 people die from TB everyday in Mumbai
Mumbai has always been plagued by TB, as was seen in a report by Praja Foundation. From 2013-2017, there was a 37% rise in TB cases, with nearly 18 people dying every day from the highly contagious disease. In July 2017, a Ministry of health and family welfare video was released wherein TB survivor Amitabh Bachchan was seen raising awareness about it.