Tuberculosis prevails among labourers in Bahrain

Manama: Low income workers are more prone to tuberculosis than anyone else, according to an expert. Al Hilal Hospital’s Internal Medicine Specialist Dr Najeeb Aboobacker said labourers are vulnerable to tuberculosis as they are often living in unhygienic conditions.

“In fact, they live together in small apartments and it may lead to the quick spread of the disease among them,” he said.

“There are a few factors that make the labourers more prone to be tuberculosis than others. Their small apartments have five or more roommates. This means, once someone is infected, it can be spread to the others quickly,” he said, adding: “Hygiene is another factor, the food they eat and the their surroundings as well. Others who are more prone to tuberculosis are the diabetic and those who have low immunity.”

“Symptoms of the disease include fever, chronic cough, loss of appetite and weight loss. The doctor may call for an X-ray or a sputum test or use another method to diagnose the patient. After a patient is diagnosed, he is treated at Salmaniya Medical Complex. If they are expatriates, they will receive initial treatment and medicines and then they will be deported. In Bahrain, private hospitals do not treat these patients because of the regulations in place,” Dr Aboobacker explained.

“The disease is 100 per cent curable, the patient is given a six-month course of tablets. Initially, they are given a four-drug combination and later a two-drug combination. If left untreated, it can even lead to death, so it is important to get treatment,” he added.

An event was held at Salmaniya Medical Complex yesterday to mark the World Tuberculosis Day. The World Health Organisation has recognised the World Tuberculosis Day to permeate awareness about the disease.