AR
UR
A Pakistani civil engineer was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) when he took a medical test for visa renewal in the UAE. As per reports, he has been a resident of the UAE since 2018. While he was in seemingly good health when he took the medical test as part of his visa renewal process, doctors detected sports on his lungs during an X-ray screening. After further assessment, doctors confirmed that 27-year-old Hussain is suffering from TB.
According to Hussain, the surprise diagnosis came as a blessing in disguise for him since he was able to recover from the disease.
TB is a serious infectious disease caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is one of the world's deadliest infectious killers, with more than 4,100 people losing their lives to the disease every day.
In 2020, TB deaths increased for the first time in more than a decade. The deadly disease is also present in the UAE, though at negligible rates.
Speaking about his experience, Hussain said that the doctors tested his sputum, following which they informed him that he had tested positive for TB.
It is mandatory for expats to be free of all forms of communicable disease such as HIV and TB in order to obtain work/residence permit in the UAE.
During the visa renewal process, all residents are required to undergo a TB screening. People found with scars or active TB or having drug-resistant TB, are issued a conditional fitness certificate and residence visa for one year. During this period, they are required to undergo treatment in the UAE.
After Hussain was diagnosed with TB, he was transferred to Lifecare Hospital in Mussafah, where he spent 22 days in the isolation ward.
Dr Rakesh Kumar Gupta, deputy medical director, specialist pulmonologist, pointed out that Hussain had no symptoms of TB at the time of admission at the hospital.
He explained that TB is a chronic and slow disease which is less severe during the initial period. While there are no symptoms in the beginning, the patient can still infect others.
Hussain was diagnosed with active TB even as he did not display any symptoms.
"Active TB can be dangerous and requires proper treatment under supervision," the doctor added.
Hussain expressed his faith and confident on the UAE's healthcare sector at a time when his family back in Pakistan urged him to return home for treatment.
“I told them not to be worried as I was in safe hands. Thanks to the good doctors and the excellent healthcare facilities in the UAE, I was soon on my way to recovery. After the isolation period, a negative sputum test indicated that I was no more at risk for infecting others,” Hussain added.
He has happily returned to work after being discharged from the hospital. Upon discharge, he also thanked the medical screening recommended by the UAE government as part of the employment visa formalities which allowed him to detect the illness at an early stage.
TB symptoms to look out for
Meanwhile, Dr Gupta explained that TB can affect any organ of the body if not treated on time. He underlined that a patient with active TB can potentially infect others unknowingly if they have no symptoms.
"Early diagnosis and treatment are the only ways to cure the TB patient without any complications and control its spread in the community," he added.
In this regard, Dr Gupta urged people to be on the lookout for symptoms such as a persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks, unexpected weight loss, night sweats, high temperature, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite, and swellings in the neck (in some cases).
The world marks Tuberculosis Day on March 24.
SOURCE: Khaleej Times