Port Blair, Jun 14: It has raised major concern for the residents of Katchal Island when several TB Patients were admitted to the General ward of PHC Katchal. They have raised the red flag over the lack of an
isolation facility for Tuberculosis (TB) patients.
Mr. GT. Lawrence, General Secretary of Katchal Settlers’ welfare association said that the PHC Katchal has confirmed that TB patients are indeed sharing the general ward with other patients due to lack of rooms on the premises.
He has appealed A&N Administration to consider rehabilitating the hospital by constructing a special ward for Tuberculosis patients and also providing a regular water supply in the PHC.
The fear of infection spreading from tuberculosis patients has created a tough time for the PHC to acquire full-time working doctors and also endangered the general patients.
When Andaman Sheekha daily contacted Mrs. Munni Singhania, in charge, the Directorate of Health Service, she informed that the department doesn’t have extensive information about the matter. “Moreover, after taking antibiotics for two weeks, most patients recover and no longer attain any infection”, she added. Mrs. Munni Singhania also assured that necessary actions are taken to deal with the Tuberculosis patients regularly.