Neg. Occ. joins global celebration of World TB Day
The Province of Negros Occidental with the rest of the country and the international community celebrated the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day March 24, with the international theme “Innovate to Accelerate Against TB” while the local theme is “Isulong ang Laban sa TB sa Makabagong Paraan”.
The provincial government supports this year’s campaign messages of reaching more people with tuberculosis care, forming stronger partnerships to reach targets of the Global Plan to Stop TB, and to find innovative ways to fight against TB.
Every March 24 is a World TB day in commemorating the discovery of bacillus that cause tuberculosis by Dr. Robert Koch of Germany in 1882.
Everyday, 75 Filipinos die of TB and it is 6th leading cause of sickness and death. Two million people worldwide die from TB each year.
TB is not just a public health challenge but it is a development problem as this devastating disease strikes people during their most productive years, affecting 15-49 years old males mostly.
Although a cure of TB has existed for more than half a century, the disease is frequently diagnosed late because of stigma, misconceptions and lack of knowledge of the disease. It is often treated improperly, or not treated at all, leading to transmission in the community and death.
The Provincial Health Office in Negros Occidental encourages everyone who has had a cough of more than two weeks to go to their nearest health facility or TB DOTS center for proper diagnosis and treatment.
TB is primarily transmitted through the air when coughing. (PHO/PIA/cad)
