Jugal Kishore

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

After Diwali exercise precautions

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Isolation of Open Active Case of TB could help in eliminating TB

Is Isolation of Open Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases the Last Mile Strategy to Achieve Tuberculosis Elimination in India?

Tuberculosis (TB), despite extensive global efforts for elimination, continues to pose significant public health challenges, particularly in high-burden countries like India. This review explored the TB cases for a minimum period of 2 weeks as a critical strategy to curb transmission and achieve TB elimination targets. Analysing historical and current epidemiological data, we discussed the burden of TB and its transmission dynamics, emphasising the role of early detection and isolation in halting community spread. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and associated co-morbidities such as diabetes, undernutrition, and tobacco and alcohol use exacerbate challenges in TB control. We presented isolation policies, modelled on the success of infection control strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, as pivotal interventions, particularly in managing MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). Recommendations included targeted use of isolation, enhanced ventilation, respiratory hygiene, and community education to mitigate household and community transmission. The role of community health workers, such as ASHAs and ANMs, is critically examined to ensure their involvement maximises TB care without increasing the risk of transmission. Key strategies include implementing evidence-based harm reduction in crowded settings through maximised natural ventilation and strict respiratory hygiene. Critically, these measures must be integrated into the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) through structural support, such as training community health workers to conduct home assessments, establishing community-based short-stay isolation centers, and making psychosocial support a routine component of care. By integrating robust public health measures with comprehensive psychosocial and financial support, the path toward TB elimination, while challenging, becomes increasingly feasible and equitable.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, isolation, transmission, MDR-TB, infection control, household contacts, disease elimination

https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202585

Certificate of Excellence is awarded for best doctor for community medicine and academciain in Delhi 2025

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Safdarjung Hospital Staff is trained in anti-tobacco program

An awareness session on "Tobacco cessation" was held in Preventive Health and Screening OPD under Department of Community Medicine of VMMC & Safdarjung hospital on 30th July 2025 for security personnel and sanitation workers of the hospital. The event was graced by Dr. Avinash Sunthlia, Deputy Assistant Director General, National Tobacco Control Program, MoHFW, GoI. His session titled “The Truth Behind the Smoke: What You Need to Know About Tobacco” raised awareness about the health hazards associated with tobacco use, cessation strategies and offered clear insights into national efforts for tobacco control. The menace of tobacco in hospital was explained in detailed. Dr. Jugal Kishore, Director Professor and former HOD, Community Medicine said that all hospital staff should act as a role model for patients and their relatives in adapting healthy lifestyle. They should be free from tobacco smoking and chewing. It is also stated tobacco cessation services are available in the OPD and they can seek help if they themselves or anyone is addicted to tobacco use. Tobacco use is one of the most common causes of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, COPD, Asthma, peptic ulcer, low birth weight, still birth, impotency, etc. It is responsible for approximately 1.35 million deaths annually, accounting for about 9.5% of total deaths in India. Staff was also told about the self-oral examination and its cleaning practices.