‘TB in children rises for lack of awareness’

Constraint faced in diagnosis, inadequate treatment equipment and lack of public awareness are contributing to an alarming rise in Tuberculosis (TB) in children, health experts said here yesterday, reports UNB.
The total number of children diagnosed with TB was 6262 in 2014, while 7984 in 2015.
In 2014, the total number of TB patients, including those with children was 1,86,968, and in 2015 the number was 1,99,001.
The rate of diagnosis of child TB patients in 2014 was 3.35 per cent, which increased to 4 percent in 2015.
According to experts, usually girl children of 5-14 years of age are more affected with this infection than boys covering the same age period.
Health experts on Wednesday came up with the figures at an orientation programme on tuberculosis organised for journalists at the Spectra Convention Centre in the capital.
Dr Md Mojibur Rahman, programme coordinator, National TB Control Programme (NTP), presented the keynote paper.
Health journalists from various national media houses, government representatives, physicians and TB experts took part in the event.
The NTP under the Directorate General of Health Services of the ministry of health and family welfare, Bangladesh Health Reporters’ Forum (BHRF), and non-governmental organisation BRAC organised the programme.
Discussions focused on issues relating to treatment and challenges of TB and recommendations.
Dr Kazi Al Mamun Siddiqui, senior manager of BRAC’s TB control programme delivered the welcome speech. Toufiq Maruf, president of BHRF moderated it.
Dr Asif Mujtaba Mahmud, associate professor of respiratory medicines, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Dr Shakil Ahmed, associate professor and paediatrician, Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Dr Lutfur Rahman, TB and HIV specialist, USAID-DFID, NHSDP, and Dr Shayla Islam, programme head, TB control programme of BRAC, among others spoke at the event. Special correspondent of Prothom Alo and executive member of BHRF Shishir Moral gave the vote of thanks.
Dr Shakil Ahmed said WHO estimates child TB patients cover 10 per cent of the total diagnosed worldwide. With respect to this estimation, around 12 thousand children still remain undiagnosed.

 

TB in children rises for lack of awareness

Constraint faced in diagnosis, inadequate treatment equipment and lack of public awareness are contributing to an alarming rise in Tuberculosis (TB) in children, health experts said here yesterday, reports UNB. The total number of children diagnosed with TB was 6262 in 2014, while 7984 in 2015. In 2014, the total number of TB patients, including those with children was 1,86,968, and in 2015 the number was 1,99,001. The rate of diagnosis of child TB patients in 2014 was 3.35 per cent, which increased to 4 percent in 2015. According to experts, usually girl children of 5-14 years of age are more affected with this infection than boys covering the same age period. Health experts on Wednesday came up with the figures at an orientation programme on tuberculosis organised for journalists at the Spectra Convention Centre in the capital. Dr Md Mojibur Rahman, programme coordinator, National TB Control Programme (NTP), presented the keynote paper. Health journalists from various national media houses, government representatives, physicians and TB experts took part in the event. The NTP under the Directorate General of Health Services of the ministry of health and family welfare, Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum (BHRF), and non-governmental organisation BRAC organised the programme. Discussions focused on issues relating to treatment and challenges of TB and recommendations. Dr Kazi Al Mamun Siddiqui, senior manager of BRACs TB control programme delivered the welcome speech. Toufiq Maruf, president of BHRF moderated it. Dr Asif Mujtaba Mahmud, associate professor of respiratory medicines, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Dr Shakil Ahmed, associate professor and paediatrician, Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Dr Lutfur Rahman, TB and HIV specialist, USAID-DFID, NHSDP, and Dr Shayla Islam, programme head, TB control programme of BRAC, among others spoke at the event. Special correspondent of Prothom Alo and executive member of BHRF Shishir Moral gave the vote of thanks. Dr Shakil Ahmed said WHO estimates child TB patients cover 10 per cent of the total diagnosed worldwide. With respect to this estimation, around 12 thousand children still remain undiagnosed.