The number of tuberculosis cases has been increasing by 3,500 every year in Sudurpaschim Province.

According to the Sudurpaschim Health Directorate data, 174 out of 100,000 people have been found infected with tuberculosis in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts in the last fiscal year.

Tuberculosis and leprosy inspector Manoj Ojha at the directorate said that they were facing challenges to control the disease.

“Patients also suffer a relapse. This is the major challenge facing us in containing the disease,” said Ojha, lamenting that they could not even cure 90 percent of the total affected people.

The directorate’s data showed 3,200 to 3,500 new cases of tuberculosis are being reported each year in the province. An estimated 4,500 people have been afflicted with the disease.

As per the record, 176 new patients are found in Dadeldhura, 183 in Achham, 163 in Baitadi, 133 in Bajhang, 107 in Bajura, 185 in Darchula and 112 in Doti district in the last fiscal year.

A majority of women and children are found to be affected more due to the disease.

Symptoms of tuberculosis include cough, weight loss, fever and poor appetite. There are 54 treatment centres in seven hill districts and 50 centres in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts.

People living in Godawari, Basauti, Tikapur and Masuriya among other areas are the most vulnerable. Although the government has been providing free treatment and medicines, the tuberculosis patients should take medicines under direct supervision of health workers.

“A majority of patients complain that they are unable to take medicines regularly as they have to go to the health facilities for that,” said Khemraj Joshi, a focal person at Seti Zonal Hospital.