Maximum number of TB cases were among the labourer staff, the study noted.
Mumbai: In a shocking revelation, as many as 60% of healthcare workers at Asia's largest tuberculosis (TB) hospital in Sewri have been diagnosed with the multi-drug resistant form of the disease, according to a latest study done by doctors.
The study, conducted between 2011 and 2015, stated that 65 workers acquired TB during this period. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which runs the hospital, said that prevention and control of TB, and deaths due to TB among healthcare workers, have been their priority.
The study included a total of 842 employees and the routine medical examination was carried out in the workers' OPD. "The objective was to ensure early detection and initiation of appropriate treatment for those with active TB. The aim was also to reduce the risk of poor treatment outcomes and reduce transmission," said Dr Rajendra Nanavare, medical superintendent and co-author of the study.
According to the study, maximum number of TB cases were among the labourer staff. Following the study, intervention measures such as special diet for all workers and supplementary diet for all employees to boost their immunity, personal protective measures such as N95 respirators for all categories of workers and so on, were suggested.
Sources at the hospital, however, claimed that these measures got stuck in red tape. "Sometimes, N95 masks are available. But mostly, files get stuck in tendering or some other process. Same is with granting leaves. There is no special leave for Class IV employees. For diet too, inputs of in-house dietician are not taken," said the source.
According to the study, 12.1% of the workers at Sewri hospital who developed TB belonged to the age group of 49-58 years, and 66.7% of them had MDR TB. The scare of contracting TB has made many workers refuse job at the hospital, leading to a continuous shortage of staff.
Of the 27 entry-level medical doctors in the hospital, only five are permanent. The rest have year-long contracts. "Two of these doctors have now quit. Most of them are of marriageable age and face a lot of problems in getting a match. The rate of quitting is very high at the hospital and it puts additional work pressure on others," added the source.
In this regard, additional municipal commissioner Sanjay Deshmukh said, "Every three months, there is a compulsory check-up for workers. People found to have tuberculosis are sent on a special leave and treatment is provided for free."
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