JOHOR BARU: The recent rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases in Johor has coincided with the cough and flu season, with private clinics seeing an increase in patients with respiratory symptoms, says Johor Doctors Association president Dr Mohamed Amin Kader.
He said many private clinics across the state have recorded a higher number of walk-in patients complaining of fever, cough and flu in recent weeks.
Despite the increase, Dr Mohamed Amin assured the public there was adequate medication to treat patients with common respiratory illnesses.
He said private clinics in Johor adhere strictly to the Health Ministry’s standard operating procedure, especially when handling patients who have been coughing for more than two weeks.
“Patients with prolonged cough, especially those coming from areas where TB cases have been reported, will be screened for tuberculosis,” he said yesterday.
Dr Mohamed Amin said patients who test positive for TB would be referred to the nearest government health clinic for further examination and treatment.
He explained that TB patients are required to attend health clinics daily to consume their medication for a minimum of six months without fail.
“The first few weeks of treatment are critical. If there is improvement in the patient’s phlegm, the intensity of medication may be reduced under medical supervision,” he said.
However, he added that patients whose condition does not improve or worsens would be referred to a respiratory specialist at Hospital Sultanah Aminah for further management.
Dr Mohamed Amin stressed that contact tracing carried out by the Health Ministry was crucial in curbing TB transmission, as it allowed authorities to identify and screen close contacts early.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Medical Association Johor Branch chairman Dr S. Prabha Shanthi said the sudden outbreak of TB in Kota Tinggi had raised alarm, particularly due to the rapid spread and lack of early warning signs.
She said the population structure in the district contributed to faster transmission, as Kota Tinggi is largely made up of elderly residents, children and foreign workers – groups more vulnerable due to weakened immune systems.
