Door-to-door campaign for TB launched by BMC

Occurence of TB in Lallubhai Compound in Mankhurd is believed to be associated with the built environment of the houses. File pic

As part of an effort to prevent spread of tuberculosis in Mumbai, the public health department of the BMC will go door to door for medical check-ups. The survey will be conducted from 9 am to 4 pm.

The survey will start on November 15 and end on November 25. About 17 lakh people within the areas - where the effect of TB is relatively more - will be tested for TB. Around 876 teams will be working on this survey. "If a person is not home, the team will visit again," said Dr Mangala Gomare, BMC's executive health officer.

Sputum test and X-ray tests will be conducted for suspected patients. Even a special voucher will be given to suspected patients to get X-ray tests done at designated private centres, free of cost.

"Coughing for more than 14 days, fever for more than two weeks, significant weight loss, bleeding from the sputum, chest pain and swelling in the neck are symptoms of TB. If found, the person should get tested," said Dr Pranita Tipre, assistant health officer.