UNAIR NEWS – The commemoration of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24, 2021 was themed The Clock is Ticking. Referring to this theme, Indonesia’s national theme was “Every Second Counts, Save the Nation from Tuberculosis”.
On this commemoration of World TB Day, all countries including Indonesia are still in Covid-19 pandemic conditions. As a response, Dr. M. Atoillah Isfandiari, dr., M.Kes, an epidemiology expert at Faculty of Public Health (FKM) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) said that the pandemic has made people reluctant to go to health facilities as they fear of contracting Covid-19. So, there is a possibility that someone who has TB symptoms will not be detected.
The beginning of the pandemic, continued Dr. Ato, some health services are limited, including TB services, so TB sufferers find it difficult to get their medicines. It increases the risk of non-adherence to medicinal treatment and causes the patient to become resistant (immune) to the drugs.
“The pandemic has also made all health workers focus on handling the pandemic, so there is a risk of limited human resources providing TB services,” he said on Tuesday , March 23, 2021.
Even though the pandemic is still not over, Dr. Ato recommends that TB sufferers continue to go to health facilities regularly by implementing strict health protocols. Dr. Ato also emphasized the need to improve vigilance for health workers when carrying out sputum checks because there is a threat of contracting TB and also the risk of contracting Covid-19.
“This TBC service should not be lax, because it is more or less the impact caused by TB from the aspect of mortality is almost high. Maybe the Covid-19 transmission is faster, but the mortality (number of deaths, ed) due to TB is also high, “he explained.
Furthermore, Dr. Ato added that there are three important symptoms of tuberculosis that all people need to know and be aware of. The first is a drastic decline in appetite. It is followed by a drastic weight loss and usually reaches 3 kg in a month. The last symptom is having a cold sweat at night.
“So not from one occuring symptom, TB is indicated, but when the three symptoms occur, a person can be suspected of having TB,” he explained.
Families can also play a role in preventing TB transmission by creating a healthy home environment. Taking into account the amount of ventilation, sun exposure must be obtained in sufficient quantities and it is necessary to have good air circulation. Nutritional intake, continued Dr. Ato, also considered. Someone with poor nutrition is easier to contract TB.
Finally, Dr. Ato hoped that classic problems related to tuberculosis such as stigma in sufferers can be immediately eliminated from society in the future. TB logistical services should also get attention so compliance on taking medication from TB sufferers is guaranteed.
“Education about the risk of TB transmission associated with the home environment should also be optimized,” he concluded. (*)
Author: Dita Aulia Rahma
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia