Although Da Nang is considered one of the leading localities in the country in Tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control, the treatment of tuberculosis, especially multi-drug resistant TB here still has many potential risks. After COVID-19 was basically controlled, Da Nang Lung Hospital has currently focused on human resources and equipment and took the initiative in detecting and treating TB.

People need to be proactive in detecting and treating TB to avoid dangerous complications. IN THE PHOTO: Medical staff at Da Nang Lung Hospital monitor the health and treat patients with tuberculosis. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

A 58-year-old patient residing in Thanh Khe district has just been admitted to Da Nang Lung Hospital for treatment of tuberculosis. He had a continuous cough for nearly 3 months so he went to several medical facilities and was examined as a post-Covid-19 symptom.

When participating in a proactive screening program organised by the local Da Nang Lung Hospital, he was examined and diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

In the same vein, a 66-year-old patient residing in Lien Chieu District had a recent history of TB with sudden chest pain and voice changes. After the consultation, it was determined that pleural effusion is a dangerous and common complication of tuberculosis patients.

According to Doctor Le Thanh Phuc, Director of Da Nang Lung Hospital, since the beginning of April, the number of patients with severe and high-risk COVID-19 has decreased significantly. Therefore, the unit has actively cleaned the hospital, stabilized personnel, and deployed professional plans to focus on receiving and treating TB patients.

Accordingly, the previous treatment areas for COVID-19 patients were disinfected and cleaned for a week.

In addition, Da Nang Lung Hospital has organized random SARS-CoV-2 testing even for related items and equipment to ensure absolute safety and avoid the risk of COVID-19 infection.

On top of that, buffer zones designed for the isolation and treatment of COVID-19 patients have been utilized and maximized the role of anti-infection in TB treatment.

Moreover, 100% of health workers here comply with regulations on TB prevention and control. The treatment rooms, doors and windows of examination rooms, waiting areas and patient rooms are designed and installed in the direction of good ventilation to prevent air from going from the patient to the medical staff.

Over the past two weeks, more than 100 TB patients have come to the hospital for treatment, many of which are seriously ill.

For the time being, Da Nang Lung Hospital currently coordinates with units and localities to organize a program of screening and proactively detecting TB through the 2X method (X-ray, and Gene Xpert). This is a free activity to support the community within the national anti-TB program and target.

In particular, the Gene Xpert technique in diagnosing tuberculosis under the program of the World Health Organization (WHO) is evaluated as a breakthrough molecular biology application technique, allowing the identification of TB bacteria in patients with tuberculosis at a low level with high sensitivity and specificity.

“In the past, it took 3-4 months to detect MDR-TB, but now with this technique, it only takes 1-2 hours to detect. Besides, after experiencing the COVID-19 resurgences, many people suffer from lung damage but are afraid to go to the doctor to monitor and detect risks early.

Tuberculosis is not a new disease but if we don't detect it in time and treat it with the right regimen and instructions of the doctor, it will be life-threatening", emphasised Dr Phuc.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG- Translating by T.VY