Post-TB Disease Clinic Will Prove a Boon for TB Patients: Dr. Sonia Nityanand, Vice Chancellor, KGMU
Lucknow: On the eve of World TB Day, the Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine stated that, according to a study, nearly 50% of TB patients continue to suffer from lung-related complications even after completing treatment. These include lung scars, lesions, fibrosis, calcification, collapse, and airway obstruction, leading to persistent symptoms such as cough and breathlessness even after completion of therapy.
Such patients will now be provided completely free treatment at the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. This announcement was made by Dr. Surya Kant, Founder In-Charge of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center and Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine. He also stated, in his capacity as Founder In-Charge of the Centre of Excellence for Drug-Resistant TB Care, that under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, there is currently no dedicated provision for managing post-TB disease patients.
A new Post-TB Disease Clinic will be inaugurated on March 24, 2026, on the occasion of World TB Day. KGMU will be the first institution in the country to initiate such a facility.
Dr. Sonia Nityanand, Vice Chancellor of KGMU, said that this Post-TB Disease Clinic at the Department of Respiratory Medicine is an important step toward giving a new life to patients who have recovered from TB and will prove to be a major boon for them.
Dr. Surya Kant, Chairman of the North Zone Task Force under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, stated that research has clearly established the need for pulmonary rehabilitation in post-TB disease patients. Dr. Ankit Kumar, Co-In-Charge of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program, added that such a center requires a multidisciplinary team, including respiratory specialists, physiotherapists, dietitians, counselors, and social workers—all of whom are available in the Department of Respiratory Medicine.
Based on national and international studies, it has been observed that a three-month pulmonary rehabilitation program significantly improves patient symptoms and enhances their quality of life.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a modern therapeutic approach for patients after TB treatment. It focuses on improving quality of life, reducing daily difficulties, enhancing functional capacity, and optimizing nutritional status. It also includes guidance on yoga, exercise, breathing techniques , and meditation.
It is noteworthy that the Department of Respiratory Medicine at King George’s Medical University has already established a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, which is the first such center in the government sector in the state. This center caters to patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung disease (ILD) who experience breathlessness or other related issues.
Patients are enrolled at the center based on a doctor’s recommendation. After counseling, they are provided dietary advice and guided through structured exercise programs. Initially, patients are required to attend sessions at the center, and subsequently, they may also receive training through online sessions as needed.
