World Tuberculosis Day.
World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed on March 24 every year to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
Observing World TB Day on 24 March 2020 was for highlights of next year and a continuation of the joint efforts to keep TB awareness and treating TB high on the global and national agenda.
What is TB?
TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other sites. The disease is spread when people who are sick with pulmonary TB expel bacteria into the air, for example by coughing. Diagnostic tests for TB disease include – Rapid molecular test, Sputum smear microscopy, Culture-based methods. Without treatment, the mortality rate from TB is high.
Some facts on TB:
TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer. Each day, over 4000 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a joint initiative “Find. Treat. All. #EndTB”with the Global Fund and Stop TB Partnership, with the aim of accelerating the TB response and ensuring access to care, in line with WHO’s overall drive towards Universal Health Coverage.
Initiatives in India:
• TB treatment is free in India.
• India aims to eliminate TB by 2025. UN aims to eliminate TB by 2030.
• Mass BCG vaccination to prevent TB.
• In 1993, the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched, offering free diagnosis and treatment for patients, rescuing them from otherwise sure death.
• Rs 12,000 cr fund to fight TB over the next 3 years.
• TB Harega Desh Jeetega campaign.
Early next year the Stop TB Partnership will share a World TB Day toolkit in different languages full of more slogan suggestions, guidelines for interactive campaigns, merchandise and social media, eye-catching graphics and exciting ideas to help you engage with the public and focus everyone’s attention on TB.
Dr Anshul Mahajan
Consultant psychiatrist