Now, get free treatment for XDR TB in Patiala hospital

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 20

Good news for patients with Extensive Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR), as the government has started free treatment of these patients.

The treatment of XDR patients is very costly, but with an aim to eradicate TB by 2022 from the state, the government is providing free treatment. At present, one patient from Ludhiana is undergoing treatment in Patiala.

Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) TB is a form of TB in which some germs of TB become resistant to some TB drugs. It happens when TB is not treated properly and patient fails to take the course of medicines prescribed for TB. It becomes difficult to treat this type of TB as drugs do not kill germs.

XDR TB is a dangerous version of MDR TB. It is resistant to the same drugs as MDR TB and some secondary drugs used to treat MDR TB. Treatment of XDR TB is more difficult, expensive and lasts longer.

“The government is providing free treatment to XDR TB patients and two drugs namely Bedaeqiline and Delaminide are being imported from the US and Japan, respectively. These third generation medicines are exclusively used for extensive drug resistance. Single tablet costs around Rs5,500, but the government will be providing treatment for free,” said Dr Ashish Chawla, District TB Officer.

Further Dr Chawla said the patient would be kept under observation for 14 days at the TB Hospital in Patiala to see any side-effects. Each patient is given 188 tablets to complete the course.

“At present, one patient is undergoing treatment for XDR in Patiala, while one more will be going soon after the tests,” said Dr Chawla.

Drug resistant TB occurs when...

• Patient fails to complete the full course of medicines 
• Wrong dosage is prescribed for the wrong length of time for taking medicines
• Supply of drugs is unavailable

Statistics

• Number of TB patients from the district              10,000 approx registered with govt
• Multi-drug resistant patients in district 300 approx 
• Extensive drug resistant patients in district 12 approx