Mobile X-ray bus services to detect TB
Published on: Friday, April 29, 2016
TAMPARULI: A mobile x-ray bus service was launched here Thursday to make it even easier to detect the prevalence of tuberculosis in the State.Currently, the mobile x-ray services are only provided in Sabah and Sarawak with one bus in the State and another two buses in Sarawak.Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said the service can enhance the health quality level of the people in Sabah, especially in TB prevention.
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"The bus provides digital X-ray services. It can detect whether a person has TB or not where it no longer uses X-ray films as it is all done digitally," he said after launching the State-level World TB Day at Tun Hamdan Hall, here.State Health Deputy Director (Public Health) Dr Jamail Muhi said the bus will make its rounds throughout Sabah, especially in locations identified as high-risk TB infection areas."This is one of the initiatives by the Health Ministry to provide the best service for Sabah," he said.Tangau, who is also Tuaran MP, said the number of TB cases in both the country and State dropped two per cent and six per cent, respectively, last year.
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"In Malaysia, the number of TB cases reported in 2015 was 24,220 cases with 24,711 cases in 2014, while the number of deaths caused by TB increased 5.8 per cent, from 1,603 deaths in 2014 to 1,696 deaths last year."The number of TB cases reported in Sabah was 4,464 cases in 2015 with 4,747 cases reported in 2014.
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"The number of deaths caused by TB increased to 302 in 2015 at 2.4 per cent compared to 295 deaths in 2014," Tangau said.He also reminded TB patients to complete their treatment until they are fully recovered where they are required to take medications daily for at least six months."In 2015, in the whole country, the success rate for TB was 78 per cent where 16,493 patients have completed their treatment and cured."However, there are still 1,256 patients who stopped their treatment. These patients have the risk of spreading the disease to the community."As such, family members and the local community must play an important role by giving moral support so that patients will be able to complete their treatment."In another development, Tangau said cloud seeding operations will be conducted throughout May, especially in areas where dams are located."May is the inter-monsoon season where the wind shifts from north east to south west and normally there will be thunder, lightning and rain during this period."But, most importantly, is the availability of suitable cloud (for cloud seeding)," he said, adding, based on studies, certain dams needed at least three months of cloud seeding operations for the water level to normalise.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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