Jamshedpur: If you happen to be suffering from cough for more than past 15 days and not getting any relief from normal medication, you need to undergo a thorough medical examination for tuberculosis. This was informed by Dr Prabhakar Bhagat of district tuberculosis department on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day at Sakchi on Monday. He was accompanied by the district programme officer of Care India Rama Khanna.
The duo said an awareness campaign was on in rural areas of East Singhbhum to inform more and more people about TB and its impact on health. They said only awareness and medication could cure the disease and give relief to a person.
�An intensive campaign is being carried out in the district to make people aware on the disease which is not as dangerous today as it used to be once. Now there are medicines that can completely cure a person afflicted with the disease. For this purpose, we are making people aware with the help of posters and documentary films with slogans and message written in simple language,� said Dr Bhagat.
The doctors said the campaign will continue till 31st March in all the blocks of East Singhbhum. The purpose of the campaign is not only to create awareness, but also identify TB patients, if any, and bring them to the TB hospital for complete cure. Those who doubt they have TB, should come to the government hospital and get themselves examined. The treatment should start without delay and continue till the last dose. Then only, the treatment can be ensured, the doctors said.
Dr Bhagat said the treatment of TB was absolutely free in the government hospitals. No fee is charged for the treatment. The medicines are also provided free of cost, he said. He said there are 17 patients found to be suffering from TB in the district as per department records. He stressed on providing family support and sympathy to the TB patients. He said the patients should not be kept aloof or away from their family.