A recent study has shed light on the heightened risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection among healthcare workers in India. The study on healthcare workers, analysed 10 distinct studies conducted between 2004 and 2023, uncovered an average of 2,391.6 TB cases per 100,000 healthcare workers. This is almost 8 times the rate of 300 cases per 100,000 observed in the general population, underscoring the heightened occupational risks faced by those in the healthcare sector.

Dr. Jugal Kishore, Director Professor at Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, who was involved in the study and has personally undergone TB treatment, said that healthcare workers were at increased risk, but were also often neglected.

"Health professional workers are always at risk of infectious diseases," Dr. Kishore explained. "When we say we want to end TB by 2028 in India, we found this group to be neglected." The study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of TB infection among healthcare workers, identifying them as a crucial demographic in the fight against the disease.

Drawing from his own experience, Dr. Kishore recounted working at a TB hospital in Mehrauli where he contracted the infection in his wrist. "I developed a swelling and eventually underwent TB treatment," he shared. Despite the stigma associated with TB, Dr. Kishore emphasized that it should not deter healthcare professionals from working towards TB elimination.

The risk of TB infection isn't limited to specialized TB hospitals. Dr. Kishore warned, "Not just in TB hospitals, but also in other hospitals, people showing just symptoms of cough might be infected with TB. The risk is very high." He noted that lung TB is particularly common among doctors.

The study reveals that certain healthcare professionals face even greater risks. Laboratory technicians, for instance, exhibit an astounding 6,468.31 cases per 100,000, while nurses and doctors show rates of 2,726.83 and 2,006.18 per 100,000, respectively. These figures not only illustrate the disproportionate impact on healthcare workers but also point to often-overlooked occupational hazards within the sector.

Several factors contribute to the high TB rates among healthcare workers. One factor that significantly increases the risk of airborne transmission is inadequate ventilation and poor air circulation in healthcare facilities. Despite the known risks, many healthcare workers inconsistently use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 masks, even in high-exposure areas. The frequent encounters with patients carrying multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB strains further complicate the occupational risks faced by these professionals.

While acknowledging existing government efforts in surveillance, monitoring, and nutrition delivery, Dr. Kishore called for additional measures. He emphasized the need for enhanced screening of health professionals in high-risk environments and increased awareness about TB risks and prevention. Dr. Kishore also stressed the importance of improving surveillance and monitoring systems. "All this will help in the gradual eradication of TB," he concluded, emphasizing the importance of these steps in achieving India's goal of ending TB by 2028.

Also read: Fact-check: Expert take on 6 tuberculosis myths