New Delhi, July 9
Verbal autopsy is a scientific tool that can significantly aid India in the fight against tuberculosis, as it helps identify the deep reasons for mortality caused by the world’s deadliest infection, said Dr Kavita Vasudevan from Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (IGMC&RI) in Puducherry.
Vasudevan, from the Community Medicine Department at the Medical College explained how a verbal autopsy model can help identify TB treatment delay patterns, and reasons for TB deaths and improve the referral process.
“A comprehensive approach is essential to effectively tackle TB, which includes the provision of quality TB care through access to quality diagnostics, effective drugs for therapy, prevention strategies, and identifying the underlying causes of mortality associated with the disease. Identifying the reasons for TB mortality can provide critical insights into the factors leading to these deaths,” the doctor said.
A verbal autopsy is an interview-based process where close relatives or caregivers of the deceased are asked questions about the circumstances and factors leading to death.