SURKHET: The number of tuberculosis patients is on an increasing trend in Karnali province.

As many as 903 new TB patients were recorded in the 10 districts of the province in the eight months of the current fiscal year, according to the Public Health Office Surkhet.

One thousand and seventy-seven tuberculosis patients were found throughout the province in the last fiscal year whereas 903 people suffering from the disease have been recorded in eight months of the current financial year alone.

The highest number of new TB cases has been found in Surkhet. Three hundred and eighteen new cases were recorded in Surkhet.

Similarly, 149 new TB patients were found in Salyan, 101 in Rukum Paschim and 99 in Dailekh, said Dayaram Pangali, the TB Resource person at the PHO Surkhet.

According to Pangali, 86 new TB cases were recorded in Jajarkot, 52 in Kalikot, 54 in Jumla, 19 in Dolpa, 13 in Humla and 12 in Mugu district in the eight months of the current fiscal year.

He said publicity and awareness campaign is conducted in the province to bring the patients under medication.