Drug shortage: Bhopal gas victims fight new challenge of TB

Bhopal: In Madhya Pradesh, the victims and their children of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy are forced to face a new challenge after an acute shortage is going on here over drugs to treat tuberculosis. Studies have found that those exposed to the gas leak are twice as likely to die of the disease, NDTV reported.

The disease, which affects human lungs, needs to be treated with immediacy, and the shortage of drugs in DOTS or Directly Observed Therapy Short Course centres is expected to affect more than 1 lakh TB patients in the state. Of the count, 12,000 are in Bhopal alone, and DOTS are supposed to give the drugs for free.

However, the shortage is not only happening in Madhya Pradesh but also in other states.

NDTV learned from experts that people are at high risk due to treatment interruption and are developing resistance. The latter situation increases the risk among patients who are victims of gas leaks. According to the experts, the victims were exposed to lethal methyl isocyanate- 40 tonnes of which leaked from the factory during the unfortunate incident- which seriously damaged their immune system and caused multi-systemic injuries. Now, they are seriously vulnerable to TB.

The victims of the horrible tragedy, who are also TB patients, have written a letter to the state government saying that the shortage started a month ago. They requested that the treatment drug be made available for local purchase since it is not available in DOTS centres.

Meanwhile, the state junior health minister said that the government will look into the issue and make arrangements immediately.