SAARC TB Activities

[नेपाली]

Editorial, The rising Nepal [ 2006-8-15 ]

TUBERCULOSIS (TB) continues to be one of the biggest killers, accounting for the death of around 40 percent people residing across SAARC region. Caused by bacillus named mycobacterium tuberculosis and mainly spread by droplet infection, TB has for decades challenged the health sector's endeavours to control it. Just a few decades ago, it seemed that TB could be checked through BCG vaccine. But time proved otherwise. When control measures could not be adequately sustained and proved less important, TB re-emerged as a major public health challenge of this time. The problem is acute, particularly in the country with low economic status. All countries in the SAARC region face a threat from Tuberculosis and growing incidence of drug resistant strains. Highly infectious type of pulmonary tuberculosis is considered to be the challenging threat to public health. Moreover, the growing trend of HIV/AIDs and its co-infection with TB is most dangerous from public health point of view. TB is a most opportunistic infection associated with HIV/AIDS, and it speeds up the pathogenicity of both diseases.

Concern
While TB mortality is a cause for grave concern, equally great is the problem of TB morbidity. It debilitates communities and affects productivity. This situation allows no room for complacency. What is needed is stronger political will and commitment to embark on comprehensive control measures against this major public health menace. Unless this is done, TB will continue to extract a high toll in the years to come. As such, sectors, other than health, together with medias, organized groups, communities, families and individuals have a critical role to play in this effort.

SAARC, which is a forum to end the problems faced by the people residing in the region, is on its way to maturity. Emphasis should be accorded high to make SAARC oriented towards controlling diseases and hunger in the region rather than stressing on theoretical aspects. As we approach a new millennium SAARC must reaffirm its commitment to support member countries and communities with the technology and the means to address this challenges. At a time when HIV/AIDs and TB both are raising their ugly heads more vigorously than ever before we need to strengthen partnerships. In this regard, India, the jumbo SAARC member can play a pivotal role to assimilate its counterparts into the regional partnership against TB and HIV/AIDs. As TB is no longer the concern of governments or the health sectors alone, it is everyone's concern requiring a multi-sectoral effort. To achieve the laudable goal of controlling TB, mobilization of resources through mutual partnerships need to be tapped if effective TB control is to be achieved.

TB is one of the most serious and contagious diseases of developing countries like ours. Though preventable and curable, it still kills millions of people all over the world. This is because many people generally do not know enough about TB and that it is caused by micro-organism and spreads, or how it can be prevented and treated. While others do not come forward for treatment in time; still others do not have access to proper health care services. Gradual loss of weight, evening rise of temperature (fever), blood in sputum, constant cough for more than 2 weeks, chest pain, loss of appetite (anorexia) etc are major cardinal symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Sputum examination is the correct diagnostic measure to detect pulmonary TB, whereas blood examination and x-ray chest may be also considered in diagnostic procedures. TB is a hundred per cent curable disease but its treatment period is longer than other communicable diseases. In our context, there is a national tuberculosis center under the umbrella of a health and population ministry. Besides, it is a matter of great satisfaction for all of us that the SAARC and HIV/AIDs center also has been set up in our country.

As per a rough estimation around 2.5 million people of this region are supposed to be suffering from TB and around 1 million TB death occur each year in SAARC countries. It is obvious that as long as we fail to adopt DOTS strategy in combating TB we can't achieve success. DOTS or directly observed treatments short course is the centre part of TB control WHO strategy. As per reports received from SAARC TB centre series of TB and HIV curbing measures are being carried out by the SAARC TB Center located in the capital city of Nepal.

In recognization of Nepal's strong commitment to SAARC, its secretariat has been set up in Nepal. Although SAARC has not been able to be as fruitful as expected during its inception period 20 years back (1985), it has been anticipated that during the time to come ahead the pace of SAARC activities will increase.

Role
Let us hope in the days to come SAARC level sound TB activities will also be launched as per the need of time. The role of communities and individual in curtailing rampant TB and HIV/AIDS must not be ignored. Member countries of SAARC region must combat TB through effective strategies and programmes. They must mount vast information, education and communication campaign to educate people about TB, its spread, treatment and control. Media can play its part by highlighting the dangerous side effects of TB and the simple means to prevent it.