Pinetown doctor helps fight against TB
Recognising the importance of early TB detection and differentiating TB from Covid-19, Dr Suveer Jhugroo signed on early to the Connect TB project.
A DEDICATED Pinetown doctor was recently acknowledged for his invaluable role in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) coupled with his passion for his profession.
Working as a general practitioner in the midst of South Africa’s third wave of Covid-19, Dr Suveer Jhugroo received a recognition award for his ongoing efforts.
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Through his participation in a University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) pilot study called Connect TB, Dr Jhugroo is able to collect a spit sample from patients with TB-like symptoms for free TB testing through the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS).
According to Connect TB project manager, Dr Buyisile Chibi, Covid-19 is not the only cause for concern.
“eThekwini District has one of the highest rates of TB nationally, the number one cause of death by infectious disease in the country,” explained Chibi.
She said like Covid-19, a cough is a common symptom of TB, which most often affects the lungs.
“TB also spreads through contact between people, but differs in that it is only spread through the air by cough, and not through contact with surfaces and personal contact such as hugs and handshakes.
Chibi said TB symptoms also take longer to develop after exposure as compared to Covid-19.
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She explained that symptoms take several weeks or even years to develop, as the bacteria can hibernate in the lungs or other parts of the body for long periods.
What are TB symptoms?
“Other common TB symptoms can include weight loss, night sweats, and fever. Importantly, TB is curable with treatment. The sooner a person is diagnosed and started on treatment, the better chance they have of making a full recovery.
The pilot study is intended to reduce delays in TB testing for patients who first present to the private sector.
According to Chibi, previous research has shown that patients with TB symptoms who seek help first with private GPs were either sent home with ineffective antibiotic treatment or referred to the public sector to access free TB testing.
“Both practices can delay diagnosis which contributes to poorer patient outcomes and ongoing TB transmission. The overlapping symptoms of TB and Covid-19 have also resulted in further delays, as patients with a cough are often assumed to have Covid-19,” said Chibi.
Recognising the importance of early TB detection and differentiating TB from Covid-19, Dr Jhugroo signed on early to the Connect TB project.
The Connect TB team had the honour of awarding him for submitting the most patient samples for testing since the project began in May of this year.
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“Almost a quarter of the samples submitted by Dr Jhugroo tested positive for TB – a sign that the project is helping to find people with TB who might otherwise have been delayed or lost to the system, all of whom were quickly able to link to treatment,” said Chibi.
Jhugroo said he was glad to be part of this initiative and to make a difference. “My patients are very happy about the support for testing,” he said.
The Connect TB project is led by Dr Jody Boffa (principle investigator), Dr Tsholofelo Mhlaba (principle investigator) and Dr Buyisile Chibi (project manager) at UKZN. It has been made possible through a partnership with the KZN Department of Health, eThekwini Health District, NHLS, and funding from the Stop TB Partnership and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
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