Nepalis are the second-largest demographic of TB patients in NSW; how to access health services in Australia?

According to World Bank data, there are at least 229 cases of tuberculosis (TB) for every 100,000 people in Nepal. A 2021 report from the Health Department of New South Wales revealed that 558 cases of the disease were recorded in the state that year. Among these patients, 78 were born in Nepal.

In 2021, 558 tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported in New South Wales, with 14% of them being individuals born in Nepal. Credit: Getty Images/ KATERYNA KON (L), SBS/ Sameer Ghimire (R)

According to the Surveillance Report 2021, 14% of all TB cases in New South Wales were born in Nepal, while 111 (20%) were born in India.

Sadhana Sigdel, a registered nurse with experience working in the Tuberculosis department of NSW, spoke to SBS Nepali about this infectious disease and its accessibility to treatment.