Not notifying TB unethical under MCI Ethics Regulations

Not notifying TB unethical under MCI Ethics Regulations New Delhi, 13th
Disease” but over 10 lakh TB patients treated in India every year are not reported to the appropriate authorities.
Indian Medical Association in association with Central TB Division, DGHS, Govt of India has been able to notify 1,04,670 TB patients in the last one year, said Padma Shri Awardee, Dr A Marthanda Pillai, National President IMA, Dr N Appa Rao, National leader and Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony. Secretary General, IMA.Addressing a Press Conference, the IMA experts said that “Not notifying TB is a violation of MCI Code of Medical Ethics Regulations under Sections 5.2 & 7.14 and can lead to suspension of the license of the doctor.”
TB and Swine flu spread differently. Swine flu is a droplet infection, while TB is droplet nuclei infection. Infected particles of size more than 5 microns are called droplet infection and of less than 5 microns are called droplet nuclei.In contrast to larger droplets, airborne droplet nuclei can remain suspended in the air for extended
periods, and thus they can be a source of human inhalational exposure to susceptible individuals.
The 3 feet distance rule of swine flu will not prevent TB. The TB bacilli remain in the atmosphere for a longer period and do not settle down on the earth. They may keep on circulating in the room, especially if a split AC is used. Similarly in the car, bus, trains or flights, an open TB patient may keep on infecting others. March, 2015: As per Municipal Laws and Govt. of India’s Order – “TB is a Notifiable Airborne precautions should be used in the care of patients with suspected or confirmed TB. TB is principally transmitted in hospitals by droplet nuclei; hence, hospital can be a place where TB is transmitted to other patients and healthcare staff. While prevention of flu requires simple three layered mask, the one for TB prevention requires N95 mask. Individuals entering the room of a patient with known or suspected TB must wear appropriate respiratory protection, an N95 mask. N95 masks filter particles ≥1 micron in diameter with at least 95 percent efficiency given flow rates up to 50 liters per minute. Patients with known or suspected TB should not wear N95 masks, since they are designed to filter air before it is inhaled. Instead, patients with known or suspected TB who require procedures outside an isolation room should wear a surgical mask; these are designed to prevent the respiratory secretions of the person wearing the mask from entering the environment.
All communications intended for headquarters office should be addressed to the Hony. Secretary General All open TB patients needs to be immediately identified, treated till they become sputum negative and non-infective. Most TB-positive patients do not disclose their TB status as they fear the associated social stigma and so keep spreading the disease to others. The public needs to be informed that every open sputum case of TB will infect and be responsible for 15 new more cases of TB if not taken care of with early treatment.
IMA has asked the government to come out with a policy, in which sputum-positive TB cases are given paid leave, so that such patients do not hide their illness.In India 2.1 million new TB cases occur annually and 2,40,000 deaths occur every year due to TB. All TB patients are not contagious, but those who are, need to be taken care of.IMA’s fight in TB is not limited to notification of TB cases. IMA has sensitized more than 1 lakh doctors in providing a Standard TB Regimen in accordance with the standard guidelines. IMA has also initiated 1771 PHIs (Peripheral Health Institutes) where private doctors are linked with the Govt. RNTCP Project through IMA branches.
IMA has appealed to 2.5 lakh doctors of IMA to notify each and every TB patient, the same can be done through IMA Website or through local Municipal Corporation/Appropriate Authority. IMA has also communicated to its members that TB patients should not default during their full course of treatment. As a part of TB awareness, IMA will be organizing a series of programs for nurses, school/college Principals, TB Rally, medical education programs for doctors and nursing home owners, all-India Medical College TB Slogan contest and release of messages of Padma Awardees etc.
The Campaign will culminate on 7th April with a tableaux, which will roam around in Delhi & NCR to create awareness on TB. Dr Suresh Gutta, National Coordinator & Dr R V Asokan Chairman Hospital Board of India also addressed the press Conference