PANAJI
The number of patients with tuberculosis in Goa has been steadily on the decrease, but the Tuberculosis Association of Goa feels it has a long way to go towards preventing the spread of the disease.
Dr Damodar Bhounsule, the honorary secretary of the TB Association of Goa, informed that a total of 1482 cases of TB were registered in the State for the year 2017. “This was a significant drop from the 1556 cases that were registered in 2016,” he stated.
Dr Bhounsule was speaking at the launch of the 69th TB Seal Campaign.
Goa has seen a steady drop in the cases of TB over the past four years, according to the report presented by Dr Bhounsule.
The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) and the TB Association of Goa inaugurated the 69th TB Seal campaign on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. The campaign aims to prevent tuberculosis by raising funds through the sale of stamps that cost an affordable Rs 5. Those interested can purchase the same at the premises of the Tuberculosis Association of Goa at Nizari Bhavan, Menezes Braganza Road, Panaji.
Dr Bhounsule explained that while the TB seals, at Rs 5, had no postal value, people who bought it expressed their sympathy for a humanitarian cause.
The current campaign will end on February 23, TB Day.
During the 68th TB Seal campaign in Goa, funds raised amounted to Rs 1,60,390. The DHS also felicitated the health centres in the state that had collected the most funds through the 68th TB Seal campaign. As such, rolling shields were given to The Urban Health Centre, Panaji, which collected Rs 90,000, Primary Health Centre Curtorim (Rs 30,000), and Urban Health Centre Margao (Rs 25,390). All health centres were encouraged to continue raising awareness about TB and encourage patients to get tested for the same.
