Health Threat: 3,300 TB cases reported in Sindh

KARACHI: At least 3,300 new tuberculosis cases have been reported this year from Sindh and 400 of these cases belong to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. More than 300 tuberculosis patients have died this year said Dr Asmat Ara. She said that the tuberculosis onslaught in the province is fearsome and public is not aware about this serious healthcare threat. Dr Ara said that after the recent rainfall, they have set up dozens of free medical camps in the province which are providing diagnosis, treatment and drugs free of cost. She also said that a tuberculosis patient should be treated as soon as possible because if they are left untreated the disease can spread to 10 to 15 healthy people. She claimed that tuberculosis is curable if diagnosed and treated promptly.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2011.