TB affects 17,000 Lankans annually

Around 17,000 Sri Lankans are affected by Tuberculosis annually while 11,000 new victims are identified. Of this 350 die of the disease, Director of National Program for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Disease Dr. A.L.S.B. Alwis said.

Deputy Director General of Public Health Services of Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry Dr. P.G. Mahipala addressing a media briefing at the Health Education Bureau regarding the present condition of tuberculosis said eight million people are affected by this disease and 95 percent have been reported from developing countries. He said two million people succumb to this disease globally.

Tuberculosis could be considered as a symptom for AIDS and six million out of 33 million HIV positive cases are positive for Tuberculosis as well.

A Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said if any one has the symptoms of cough for more than three weeks, fever in the night, less appetite, weight loss and passing of phlegm with blood, he should get the phlegm tested immediately.

It was also disclosed that the test could be done easily and free of charge at chest clinics throughout the island or mobile clinics.

The affected patient should be treated under direct observation and tuberculosis could be completely cured.

Drugs are given free by Chest clinics and it should be taken for six months without a break.

Health Ministry sources said, if the patient does not take treatment or discontinue the treatment, another person can get it.