An increasing number of patients are dropping out of treatment for tuberculosis (TB) in the city, according to data collated by a city-based non-government organisation (NGO). According to the report, there were 2,638 patients who dropped out of treatment in 2012, which rose to 2,927 in 2016. “TB treatment usually lasts between six months to a year. The NGO should have asked for total number of patients under treatment in a particular year, she added. Doctors said there are dire public health consequences when tuberculosis patients abruptly abandon treatment as they could acquire drug resistance and as a result, infect other people too.

Source: Hindustan Times July 13, 2017 04:18 UTC