Tuberculosis (TB) has reportedly resurfaced in Navelim with eight active cases confirmed, most of them among migrant labourers residing in rented premises. The disease, though serious, is fully curable. TB continues to pose a public health concern, especially among the economically weaker sections of society. It is a communicable disease as it can spread from person to person, primarily through the air when someone with active TB coughs or speaks.
Incidentally Goa has relatively fewer TB cases as compared to some other states in India, with approximately 2,000 cases being reported per year. With the country setting a target to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, Goa too has initiated steps to achieve the target. A cause of concern is that young people, mainly alcoholics, and those with uncontrolled diabetes are reporting with TB. It may be recalled that Goa has been the first state in the country to replace microscopy with rapid molecular diagnostic tests in 2020. This has ensured that Goa’s health centers are detecting TB and helping patients to start treatment early. However, Goa, like the rest of the country, is struggling to achieve the ambitious quest to eradicate the disease by the end of 2025.
The State’s mortality rate among TB patients has reportedly been relatively higher than the national average for two successive years. Since migrant labourers could be carrying the virus, it is necessary to make health cards mandatory for them which can keep a check on those suffering from the disease.
