World Tuberculosis Day 2018: Scientist develops New N-TB android app for patients

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World Tuberculosis Day 2018: Scientist develops New N-TB android app for patients
World Tuberculosis Day 2018: Scientist develops New N-TB android app for patients

New Delhi : Doctors in Mangalore and McGill International TB Centre have come up with an android-based app for tuberculosis patients on World Tuberculosis Day to be observed on March 24. The application will let the user calculate his or her body mass index (BMI) and will provide a treatment plans, as well.

Dr. Anurag Bhargava, Dr Madhavi Bhargava and Dr Anurag has developed an android-based app for tuberculosis patients across the world. The Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) in Mangalore and McGill International TB Centre has decided to launch the app on ‘World Tuberculosis Day’ observed every year on March 24. Also, known as N-TB, this app will allow its user to calculate his or her body mass index (BMI). 

For suppose, if the BMI is very low, the app will indicate red-flag and will provide guidance on how to manage severe under nutrition. The app will also offer a treatment plan to achieve a desirable weight and will suggest the daily caloric and protein intake. It 

In addition, N-TB app will offers counselling tips on diet with an emphasis on the value of foods available in local market in difference to costly nutritional supplements, activity and lifestyle. This new application for tuberculosis patients can be downloaded for free on Google Play.

N-TB app was presented during the Delhi End TB Summit held recently and has been certified by the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme and WHO India,

Dr Madhukar Pai, associate director, McGill International TB Centre said, “Tuberculosis often results in significant weight loss, which can exacerbate underlying under nutrition. Studies in India have shown that 50 per cent of adult men and women with tuberculosis weigh below 42 kg and 38 kg respectively. Studies in rural India have also shown that tuberculosis (TB) patients have life-threatening levels of low BMI.

Under nutrition in TB patients has been shown to be a consistent risk factor for death, and this is important in a country like India, where current levels of TB mortality are high with 423,000 deaths due to TB.”

Developers of the application mentioned that under nourished patients are at higher risk of serious side-effects from drugs, poor absorption of drugs, reduced ability to return to work and recurrence of disease after cure. 

Sources confirmed that the Centre has announced a direct benefit transfer of Rs 500 per month from April 2018 to enable nutritional support for TB patients. However, all these health care initiatives will have need of healthcare providers who are skilled in nutritional assessment and counselling. As of now, N-TB is the first-of-its-kind app for healthcare providers. Let’s see, if the TB-patients find the app suitable and applicable.