Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a higher risk infection in the country with 21 death reported this year. There has been a decrease in Drug Sensitive TB infections during the last decade, however, cases of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB is on the rise for the last five years.
There were 54 new cases of MDR TB to date against the 70 cases last year.
The Ministry of Health aims to eradicate TB through enhanced active contract tracing system in the country. This was highlighted during the Annual Tuberculosis and Leprosy review meeting held yesterday.
More than 200 Health specialists discussed the challenges and the key policy changes in the guidelines for the management of TB and Leprosy in Bhutan. A step by step standard operating procedures is being developed with a clear flow of communication and reporting channel in the field to conduct contract tracing.
‘’We found that our contract tracing was very inefficient, we were getting late for the diagnosis, we were not able to find the TB patients especially the primary contacts. From this year we have designed a new modality that is to ensure fast-tracking and fast tracing, for example now we have communication system developed with the TB centres. We’ll be calling from the centre and they have to act immediately, do the contract tracing and bring the patients for the treatment and management,’’ said Rixin Jamtsho, the Chief Program Officer with the Health Ministry.
Currently, the highest TB cases are clustered around Thimphu, Monggar and Sarpang districts whereas Lhuentse has the highest Leprosy cases.
‘’Let’s roll our sleeves up, let’s get our hands dirty and really catch every single case because the way we are going just now, probably the MDR TB cases, we’re highest in the region. For a small country, it’s a big public health concern. It’s an old disease yet I really don’t know much about it so we must advocate and officiate the responsibility to the public,’’ said Dechen Wangmo, the Health Minister.
The ministry also plans to develop a contract tracing app soon.
Kelzang Choden
