Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a public health challenge in Sylhet, particularly in the tea garden communities, where children are showing increasing vulnerability to the disease. Health experts are placing greater emphasis on early detection and prevention through timely immunisation.

According to the Sylhet divisional office of the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP), the rate of child TB cases in the division has more than doubled — from 3.98 percent in 2021 to 8.66 percent in 2024. In Moulvibazar district alone, 35 percent of TB patients in 2024 were tea workers, with 8 percent being children — notably higher than the national average.

Health professionals note that children living in tea gardens often face factors that increase their risk — such as overcrowded housing, poor nutrition, and close contact with infected adults. These conditions make routine childhood immunisation especially critical.

To protect children against severe forms of TB, the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is provided under the government’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). Civil Surgeon of Moulvibazar, Dr Md Mamunur Rahman, confirmed that TB testing and treatment services are offered free of charge and highlighted the importance of BCG vaccination in reducing the burden of childhood TB.

“We provide X-ray screening services five days a week and are working to raise awareness among tea garden families,” he said. “Immunisation remains a key tool in our prevention strategy.”

Tea garden areas in upazilas such as Sreemangal, Kamalganj, and Kulaura have been identified as particularly vulnerable. According to Raihan Ahmed, acting project director of the HEED TB Control Programme-GFATM for Sylhet Division, delayed diagnosis remains a challenge, especially among tea workers, who often face barriers in accessing timely care.

To address this, initiatives are underway to strengthen outreach. Government and non-government organisations are conducting door-to-door campaigns to raise awareness and encourage early health-seeking behaviour. Plans to introduce portable X-ray machines in tea gardens are expected to support quicker diagnosis.

Child health workers continue to deliver vaccines like BCG, DPT, and Pentavalent as part of routine immunisation sessions. By focusing on early protection, these efforts aim to reduce the spread of TB and improve overall child health outcomes in the region.

While challenges remain, expanding immunisation coverage offers a hopeful path forward. With stronger coordination between health authorities, community workers, and families, more children in Sylhet’s tea gardens are getting access to the protection they need — one vaccine at a time.

Reference:

Deshwara M. TB prevalence high in Sylhet [Internet]. The Daily Star. 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 16]. Available from: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/tb-prevalence-high-sylhet-3855851