TB infects over 3 lakh a year

They said more than three lakh people are infected with tuberculosis every year.

The roundtable titled 'Tuberculosis Control Programme: Support of Mass Media' was organised by Brac and Amar Desh at the National Press Club in the city.

The speakers said people should be informed that tuberculosis is a preventable disease and patients can get the treatment free of cost staying at home.

This message could be disseminated to people effectively through mass media, they added.

Programme Manager of National Tuberculosis Control Programme Dr Viqarunnessa Begum said under the programme the identification rate of TB patient has increased to 61 percent in 2006.

Vice-Chancellor of BSMMU Prof MA Hadi said as the germs of tuberculosis can remain alive in the air for hours, these could affect a huge number of population.

"It is heartening to note that patients across the country are now getting free treatment. They should be brought under national registration after identification," he added.

He however expressed concern over the occurrence of Multi Drug Resistance (MDR) TB as its treatment is still expensive and the rate of cure at advance stage is very poor.

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health Affairs Moshiur Rahman MP said people could not take the advantage of free treatment owing to lack of awareness.

Advisory Editor of Amar Desh Ataus Samad moderated the programme attended by, among others, its Editor Amanullah Kabir, Director of National Institute of Chest Diseases and Hospital Prof Mostafizur Rahman, Prof Mirza Mohammad Hiron and Dr Salima Rahman of RDRS.