All three tiers of government to mark World Tuberculosis Day on Tuesday

Kathmandu. The government is marking the World Tuberculosis Day by organizing a special programme on Tuesday. A press conference was organized at the National Tuberculosis Control Centre in Bhaktapur on Monday. The World Tuberculosis Day is being marked under the slogan ‘National Campaign, Our Contribution’, said the centre’s under-secretary Kamal Prasad Timalsena.

According to him, various public awareness programs have been organized at the federal, provincial and local levels. According to the center, rallies, interactions, awareness campaigns and media programs have been organized on the occasion. The Centre has called on all stakeholders to work together to end tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is still a major public health problem in Nepal. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there will be an estimated 67,000 new TB patients in Nepal by 2024. It is estimated that about 16,000 people die of tuberculosis every year.

In the last fiscal year 2081/82, more than 39,000 drug-sensitive tuberculosis patients were identified and treated. The success rate of treatment is 92 per cent for drug-sensitive tuberculosis and 76 per cent for drug-resistant TB.

TB treatment has been provided through more than 6,000 health institutions across the country, while microscopy and modern testing services have also been expanded. In addition, special centers are in operation for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

However, the fact that about 42 per cent of the patients still do not have access to treatment shows that the challenge remains. It is difficult to control the disease due to economic burden, social stigma and lack of resources.

The government has plans to expand the AI-based digital X-ray service, rapid testing service and strengthen the local-led program in the coming days.

The Centre has stressed the need for active participation of not only the government but also the private sector, civil society, media and the general public.