Northeast Desk, 1st May: Mizoram officials revealed that 108 individuals succumbed to tuberculosis (TB) in the state last year, underscoring the ongoing challenges in combating the disease. According to reports, blood samples from 17,432 individuals were tested in 2023, revealing 2,272 cases of TB. Among these patients, 164 were diagnosed with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), with 86% of patients successfully treated while 108 fatalities were reported.
The statistics for the first quarter of this year indicate a continuation of the TB burden, with 595 new cases diagnosed out of 3,761 samples tested. Additionally, 38 individuals were diagnosed with MDR-TB, and 57 were found to be suffering from both TB and HIV-AIDS. Notably, 6% of patients were diabetic, 33% used tobacco, and 16% were alcohol consumers.
Geographically, Aizawl district reported the highest number of TB cases at 433, followed by Kolasib district (46) and Lunglei district (34). Conversely, Mamit district in West Mizoram recorded the lowest TB cases at five. Despite the prevalence of the disease, only 187 individuals in the state have registered to adopt TB patients or donate to them through the ‘Nikshay’ platform under the PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
Launched by President Droupadi Murmu in September 2022, the initiative aims to enhance community involvement in fulfilling India’s commitment to end TB by 2025, ahead of the global target of 2030. This initiative underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in combating TB and promoting public health awareness in Mizoram.