Post-Surgery TB Infections Alarm Health Officials in Pabna, Shariatpur
At least 12 patients developed tuberculosis at their surgical wounds after operations in Pabna. This concerning situation has alarmed health authorities. These incidents happened at Al-Madina Lab and Hospital in Faridpur Upazila.
Jaya Rani Das, aged 20, was one of the affected. She had a caesarean section in May. Her surgical wound did not heal. Tests later showed tuberculosis at the wound site.
Eleven other women also got tuberculosis after surgery at the same hospital. One man developed tuberculosis after gallbladder surgery. Faridpur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Md Rashedul Hasan confirmed these cases. He called the incident alarming.
Al-Madina Hospital performs many caesarean deliveries. About 60 to 70 such operations happen each month. Hospital management could not show proper sterilization guidelines. Hospital equipment was also old, officials said.
Surgical procedures at Al-Madina Hospital have been stopped. A three-member committee is now investigating the matter. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has been asked to investigate the cause.
Similar problems have been found elsewhere. In Shariatpur, 51 people developed tuberculosis after surgery. These cases were at Modern Diagnostic Centre and Clinic. That clinic’s operating theatre has been closed since March.
Tuberculosis is usually a lung disease. But it can also affect other body parts. This is called extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis in a wound is one form of this.
Bangladesh faces a high number of tuberculosis cases. About 350,000 people get tuberculosis every year. Around 44,000 people die from it annually.
Experts are very worried about these new incidents. Professor Rowshan Ara Begum, an obstetrics specialist, said these cases are frightening. She said health authorities must take urgent action.
Chest specialist Asif Mujtaba Mahmud stressed proper disinfection. He said all operating theatres and surgical equipment must be thoroughly cleaned before use. This is important to protect patients from infections like tuberculosis.
