Detection of new tuberculosis cases has declined by 50 percent across the country since the nationwide lockdown was enforced on March 24. Doctors say undetected and untreated tuberculosis cases could lead to a major spike in new infections and deaths.

“If not treated, one TB patient can transmit the disease to 10 others,” Dr Kedar Nursing KC, a senior chest physician and tuberculosis expert, told the Post. “If such a huge number of people infected with TB are not being diagnosed, it will lead to a public health disaster.”

In the six months since the lockdown, 102 women have died of pregnancy related complications on the way to hospital or after reaching the hospital. The comparative figures were 98 women in fiscal year 2018-19 and 95 in 2017-18.

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