Arunachal launches scheme for TB patients

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh has become the first state in the northeast to launch the Directly Observed Treatment Plus Services (DOTS), meant for the treatment of Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) TB Patients. The service was launched at the DOTS Plus Site in Arunachal State Hospital, Naharlagun, on Friday, official sources said.

The programme was inaugurated by the state director of health services Dr K Nishing, who administered DOTS Plus ( CAT-IV) medicine to two MDR patients admitted to the newly constructed DOTS Plus Ward of the hospital.

This service will be introduced in Assam, Manipur and Sikkim soon. With this, MDR (TB) patients will get the benefit of free check-ups and DOTS Plus medicines for 24 to 27 months.