Ludhiana, March 23
Notwithstanding claims by the Health Department of providing free medicine to tuberculosis patients in the district through their directly observed treatment (DOT), thousands of TB patients living in slum areas near the Buddah Nullah are being treated by quacks.
Since the ANMs concerned allegedly never visit these areas, so these patients have to approach certain “self-styled doctors” practising in the area.
The slum areas adjoining the Buddah Nullah, including Shivpuri, Madhopuri, Guru Nanak Pura, Kundanpuri, Sundernagar, Salem Tabri, Chandernagar, and Bihari Colony are a hub of patients suffering from tuberculosis. But rarely have they been approached by any health worker for detection or treatment of tuberculosis.
Ram Sirat, a labourer of the Bihari colony, said there were around 500 jhuggis in the area. Almost every second person in the colony was suffering from chronic cough, he said.
“I have been living in the colony for the past three years but no health worker has approached us for the detection or treatment of disease. I have been taking medicine for TB from a private practitioner”, he said.
According to sources, even big industrial houses have appointed quacks as their “medical officers”. An industrial worker, on condition of anonymity, said because of lack of awareness and education, the migrant population could easily be fooled by their employers.
“These ‘medical officers’ are playing with the lives of the migrant population working in industries. They are working in factories and providing services at low salaries”, he said.
District TB Officer, Dr Anil Verma, on being contacted, said “There are 29 dispensaries in the city and different medical officers are looking after the areas allotted to them. The medical officers concerned will be questioned as to why their ANMs are not visiting these areas. The department will take strict action against the guilty ANMs”.
Meanwhile, the District Health Department will organise a rally from the local Civil Hospital to observe World TB Day tomorrow. A poster-making competition will also be organised.
The Ludhiana TB Eradication Society will organise a TB detection programme from March 24-26. Free testing and full course of TB treatment will be given to the patients.
Dayanand Medical College and Hospital has also started DOT programme at its premises. Free sputum examination is done at the centre and drugs are given in “patient free boxes” containing the full course of medicine under direct observation.
Ludhiana, March 23