Response to NHRC from PVCHR on TB case

To,
    Deputy Registrar (Law)
    Law Division
    National Human Rights Commission
    New Delhi

Taking reference of letter no. 29878/24/72/07-08 UC dated 29^th October, 09 about the complaints from Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in the cases of eight victims of tuberculosis report. Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), a grass root organization working in Varanasi informed to AHRC about the non-hygenic living condition, absence of Public health and a number of person of weaver community in Lohta, District Varanasi are infected with tuberculosis.

 

Again after follow up visit to Lohta, we came to know Jubeda Begaum resident of Mahmudpur in Lohta area died last year. My mother suffered from TB, said her son Ramjan Ali, a weavers showing the medical prescription of the local microscopic centre. The family lives in a brick house that also hold a handloom unit. Most of the TB patients in Lohta area come from poor handloom weaver families, who find difficult to manage food. Jubeda Begum one of the eight victims mentioned in the petition

Besides non-hygienic living condition and the insufficient healthcare facilities are also increasing the prevalence of TB case in Lohta area was high in comparison to other places, said Dr, Ajay Kumar Gautam, who run a microscopic centre in the area. According to him, 35-50 suspected TB patients goes to the centre everyday for the sputum test and out of them 10-15 are found positive cases of TB. Beside this they are two more such centre in the area to cover over 85 villages of Kashi Vidyapith block.

 Jubeda's death is not solitary case. The doctor said that these death can be prevented with the proper care and treatment fact. According to the District TB officer Dr. P.C Sharma presently 4282 patients (from April to November) are under dots in the district. He however also admitted that the number of TB cases were more in weavers dominated area in comparison to other localities.In another mail I am sending news published in Times of India.

 

Survey Results: AHRC / PVCHR Weaver Tuberculosis Study & Consultation (2008)

Month	# Patients Diagnosed	# With Tuberculosis	Female	Male
March	20	20	7	13
April	20	10	7	3
June	14	14	4	10
July	16	16	7	9
August	16	16	6	10
Total	86	67	31	36

 

Enclosure:

 

1. A copy of paper clipping published in Times of India, Varanasi.
2. Medical prescription of the local microscopic centre.
3. A study suicide and malnutrition among weavers in Varanasi.

 With warm regards,

Shruti Nagvanshi