WITH the national healthcare system already in a poor shape, some doctors in Hyderabad are adding to the patients’ woes by asking their patients to have Widal and Typhidot tests.

This is despite the clear directives issued by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission (KPHCC) to discontinue these outdated and unreliable diagnostic methods for typhoid fever.

Even though these tests have been deemed inaccurate and are a major contributor to the growing problem of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid, many doctors still prescribe them, and several laboratories continue to carry them out.

This negligence is leading to serious consequences, including frequent mis-diagnosis and unnecessary use of antib- iotics. The misuse of antibiotics not only fails to treat actual typhoid cases effectively, but also fuels antibiotic resistance, making it harder to combat infectious diseases in the future.

The persistence of these unreliable tests also imposes a financial burden on the patients. Many families, unaware of the inefficiency of these tests, spend money on incorrect diagnoses and ineffective treatments, delaying proper medical intervention.

Furthermore, false-positive results may lead to unnecessary antibiotic courses, while false-negatives can result in delayed treatment of actual typhoid cases, potentially leading to severe health complications.

The relevant authorities, including the Health Department and the local administration, should strictly enforce the ban on these tests, and ensure that laboratories comply with the official guidelines.

Public awareness campaigns should also be launched to educate both doctors and patients about the importance of relying only on validated diagnostic methods, such as blood culture, for typhoid detection.

Indeed, the growing threat of anti-microbial resistance cannot be ignored, and it is our collective responsibility to take immediate action in this regard.

Dr Mubashir Hussain Shaikh
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2025