Efforts to combat tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is one of the dangerous infectious diseases that spreads silently through the respiratory tract and leaves many severe sequelae for patients if left untreated...

Staff from the Provincial Lung Hospital advise the public on how to prevent and control tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is highly contagious through the respiratory tract if not properly controlled. Therefore, early detection plays a crucial role in treatment and prevention. People with suspected symptoms should go to a medical facility for timely examination, consultation, and testing. Patients must strictly adhere to the treatment regimen and not discontinue medication prematurely to avoid the risk of drug resistance and spread in the community. When TB bacteria enter the lungs, they can multiply and cause lung damage. Symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, mild fever in the afternoon, night sweats, and weight loss are often mistaken for common illnesses, leading many people to be complacent and delay seeking medical attention. The community-acquired TB rate in Lai Chau is estimated at approximately 30/100,000 people, indicating that the risk of infection remains, especially in remote areas where access to healthcare services is limited.

According to Dr. Pham Manh Hung, Director of the Provincial Lung Hospital, the unit has developed a comprehensive plan and allocated operational targets to grassroots levels to ensure effective implementation throughout the province. Emphasis is placed on communication and raising community awareness about the risks and prevention of tuberculosis. The application of modern techniques such as Truenat and GeneXpert molecular biological testing plays a crucial role in the early detection of tuberculosis, especially drug-resistant tuberculosis and tuberculosis in children. This helps shorten diagnosis time, improve accuracy, and facilitate timely treatment for patients, limiting complications and spread in the community. Screening and examination services have been strengthened at the grassroots level. The Provincial Lung Hospital also collaborates with the National Lung Hospital to organize numerous training courses to enhance the professional capacity of healthcare staff in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis.

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Health workers at Binh Lu commune health station conduct screenings for children and provide counseling on tuberculosis to local residents.

Alongside professional activities, communication efforts to prevent and control tuberculosis are implemented in diverse ways by healthcare facilities, tailored to each locality. The implementation process mobilizes the participation of local authorities and organizations in disseminating information, helping people understand and proactively prevent tuberculosis. From local public address systems and village meetings to community activities and direct home consultations, the communication focuses on recognizing disease symptoms, proactively seeking medical attention, and adhering to treatment.

At the grassroots level, commune and ward health stations are playing a crucial role as an "extended arm" in tuberculosis prevention and control. Dr. Bui Van Thu, Director of the Bum Nua Commune Health Station, said: The station has proactively coordinated and organized screening to detect suspected cases of tuberculosis early in the community. In addition, they have intensified communication through loudspeaker systems, village meetings, and integrated tuberculosis prevention and control content into regular health activities, helping people raise awareness and proactively prevent the disease.

From 2025 to the present, the province has detected 159 tuberculosis patients, including 127 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and 32 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis; the success rate of treatment has reached over 90%. In early 2026, with the support of the NGO FIT, through screening programs organized in the communes of Bum To, Mu Ca, Bum Nua, and Thu Lum, an additional 24 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were detected.

The Thu Lũm Commune Health Station collaborated in organizing health check-ups and awareness campaigns about tuberculosis for the local people.

However, tuberculosis prevention and control in Lai Chau still faces many difficulties. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thao (Tuberculosis Department, Provincial Lung Hospital) shared: The awareness of some people is still limited; funding for proactive screening activities is insufficient, and there is a lack of modern equipment. In addition, some patients do not fully comply with the treatment regimen, while monitoring from families and village health workers is not truly rigorous. Many cases only seek medical attention when the disease has been present for a long time, increasing the risk of complications and transmission. Raising awareness and changing people's behavior remains a key factor in tuberculosis prevention and control. Early detection and complete treatment not only help patients recover but also protect their families and the community.

With the decisive involvement of the health sector and the joint efforts of the entire society, it is hoped that the difficulties will soon be overcome to realize the goal of eradicating tuberculosis in the province, contributing to building a healthy and sustainable community.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/xa-hoi/no-luc-day-lui-benh-lao-988077