Nearly 1,400 Tuberculosis Patients Died in Gandaki Province Over Past Year Amid Stigma Challenges

Pokhara. Nearly 1,400 tuberculosis patients have died in Gandaki Province in the last year alone. Out of 2,801 individuals confirmed with tuberculosis in Gandaki last year, 1,390 lost their lives. Health workers suggest that timely testing and regular medication intake are crucial as the risk is higher for individuals with low immunity.

Although the Nepal government aims to eradicate tuberculosis by 2050, stakeholders state that finding hidden patients in the community and ending social discrimination remain significant challenges. According to Santosh Paudel, Program Officer at the Provincial Disease Control Office, Gandaki, 1,453 new TB patients were found in the province in just the first eight months of the current fiscal year. The number of males is higher among these cases: 902 males and 551 females were confirmed infected.

Paudel stated that the higher mobility of men shows a higher risk of infection among them. During this period, tuberculosis was also detected in 22 children. So far, 26 cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis, a severe form where common medicines are ineffective, have been found in the province. DR Homes have also been arranged in the province for the management of such patients.

Tuberculosis treatment is completely free. The state spends about NPR 150,000 for the complete treatment of one common TB patient. However, the problem of people hiding the disease and avoiding treatment due to stigma still exists in society. “Tuberculosis continues to be a subject of stigma and discrimination in our society. This leads patients to hide in the community and even reach the point of death,” says Paudel.

The state has invested approximately NPR 150,000 for the complete treatment of one patient and provides all services free of cost. The Gandaki Provincial Government has started using Artificial Intelligence (AI) equipped X-ray machines to identify tuberculosis. Last year alone, 458 patients were detected with the help of AI X-rays. The government stated that patients who might be missed by traditional methods are easily found through AI X-rays. Provincial Health Minister Krishna Pathak informed that search campaigns are currently being conducted in villages using two AI X-ray machines in the province.

“There is a huge investment from the state. Cooperation from the citizen level is also necessary for its eradication,” he said. “If a patient is found, instead of shunning them, we should advise them on proper treatment. If everyone shows respect, patients will not have to hide.” Tuberculosis is a completely curable disease. TB is completely cured if medication is taken regularly for 6 months. However, Minister Pathak notes a lack of public awareness about this.

Across the province, 829 DOTS centers are in use, and 101 microscopy diagnostic centers are operational. Ten GeneXpert centers and three Expert XDR centers, along with three drug-resistant treatment centers, are in operation. Experts advise timely testing and regular medication intake as the risk is higher for individuals with low immunity.