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Every year on March 24, we celebrate World Tuberculosis (TB) Day to increase public awareness of the terrible health, social, and economic effects of TB and to intensify our efforts to put an end to the global TB epidemic. This day commemorates the announcement of Dr Robert Koch in 1882 that he had identified the TB-causing bacteria, which paved the way for its detection and eventual treatment. This blog takes on providing better insights into the day, with the go-to information that you shall need for better awareness.
Table of Contents
- 1 Brief History of World Tuberculosis Day
- 2 Goal of World Tuberculosis Day
- 3 Theme of World Tuberculosis Day 2023
- 4 Significance of World Tuberculosis Day
- 5 Facts About World Tuberculosis Day
- 6 Reported Rate of Tuberculosis
- 7 Preventative Actions for World Tuberculosis Day
- 8 How to Observe World Tuberculosis Day?
- 9 FAQs
Brief History of World Tuberculosis Day
In the year 1882, Dr Robert Koch identified and unlocked the diagnosis and treatment for the illness of tuberculosis. As we all know, tuberculosis is one of the most serious infectious killers that we must adhere to. In September 2018, a UN High-level National Conference was held where national leaders took a pledge to eliminate the disease.
Goal of World Tuberculosis Day
The goal of World TB Day, which takes place on March 24 every year, is to raise awareness of the fact that tuberculosis still kills almost 1.5 million people worldwide each year, mostly in developing nations. It honours the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch startled the scientific world by revealing that he had found the TB bacillus, the cause of tuberculosis. TB was ravaging Europe and the Americas when Koch made his statement in Berlin, killing one out of every seven individuals who contracted it. The finding made by Koch paved the path for the detection and treatment of TB.
Theme of World Tuberculosis Day 2023
For the year 2023, the theme of world tuberculosis day is:
“Yes, we can end TB”.
The aim of World Tuberculosis Day is to promote hope, the adoption of innovation, and multisectoral collaboration to fight the TB epidemic. It will also encourage high-level leadership.
Significance of World Tuberculosis Day
When your doctor informs you that you have been diagnosed with tuberculosis, you don’t need to fear or go into panic mode (TB). Tuberculosis is now treatable and thus curable thanks to the most recent medical advances.
The majority of individuals are reluctant to see doctors, and other people cannot even afford the most basic course of therapy because of financial or other constraints. We are aware that TB is the ninth most common cause of death in the globe, and some people can be blamed for not seeing their doctors or taking their prescribed medications to the end.
24 March is recognised as World Tuberculosis Day everywhere in the world. Let’s work to completely eradicate this deadly illness. The day not only informs the public about this disease but also all the precautions they may take to maintain their health. All tuberculosis patients in various nations are eligible for free medication and screenings from the government. In India, all public hospitals and accredited facilities offer free TB treatment.
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Facts About World Tuberculosis Day
Some of the facts about world tuberculosis day are:
One of The Worst Infectious Diseases In the World
Around 28,000 people get sick with this avoidable and treatable disease every day, and over 4,100 people die from TB.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has undone years of advancement in the effort to eradicate tuberculosis. 2020 saw an increase in TB deaths for the first time in more than ten years. The message conveyed by World TB Day 2022’s theme, “Invest to End TB. Save Lives,” is that it is urgently necessary to invest resources in order to intensify the fight against TB and fulfil the commitments made by world leaders to end the disease. This is particularly important given the COVID-19 epidemic, which has jeopardised the progress being made to end TB and to provide equal access to prevention and care in line with WHO’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
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Reported Rate of Tuberculosis
With the reports that were released in 2016, roughly 10.4 million additional cases of TB were reported globally. 64% of the global burden of the disease was primarily attributable to seven nations, with India having the highest number of TB cases. Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, and South Africa make up the remaining six nations.
India continues to have the highest rate of tuberculosis diagnoses in the world, with an estimated 27.9 lakh patients living with the disease and up to 4.23 lakh patients passing away over the year, according to the Global Report published by WHO in 2017.
Preventative Actions for World Tuberculosis Day
Some of the preventive measures for Tuberculosis are:
Vaccination against BCG
Since its introduction in 1921, the BCG vaccine (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) has been the only live TB vaccine that is now available and licenced worldwide. The tuberculosis bacillus that causes bovine tuberculosis, Mycobacterium Bovis, is used to make this vaccine. The vaccine is more effective against the complex type of TB in children and has an 80% success rate in preventing TB. A doctor should be consulted before beginning any drug.
Early Detection
The most effective method for preventing tuberculosis is early diagnosis and treatment. The vast majority of patients no longer transmit the disease after two weeks of therapy.
Taking care of your environment
Since tuberculosis is an airborne illness, maintaining a clean environment is crucial.
Quick Actions
The spread of TB germs can be stopped by maintaining excellent ventilation, a natural source of light because UV light destroys TB bacteria and proper hygiene practices including covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. The goal of World Tuberculosis Day is to gather political and societal commitments for future advancement by eradicating TB as a public health problem.
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How to Observe World Tuberculosis Day?
Below mentioned are some of the ways to observe world tuberculosis day:
Spread Awareness
Sometimes people are not aware that they are suffering from TB. It is important to spread awareness so that it can be tested and prevented.
Get Tested
It is always a good idea to get tested if you are suffering from TB. After getting your tests done, it will help in curing and preventing the disease.
FAQs
As a medical missionary, Dr Arthur Lankester travelled to India in 1892 to take over the Church Missionary Society hospital in Amritsar. Around two years later, he moved to Peshawar. He conducted his investigation of the TB situation in India between July 1914 and June 1916.
India has severe pollution problems all around the nation. Although TB may spread from person to person through the air, pollution has numerous negative impacts on the air that people breathe. As a result, the likelihood of contracting TB is still high in many regions of India.
In most nations, men smoke more cigarettes than women do; per capita smoking rates, probably as a result of toxic lung injury and impaired immune cell function making them more susceptible to infection, account for around one-third of the variation in country-level male bias in case reports.
We have covered everything in detail about World Tuberculosis Day (March 24). This blog post was helpful in providing you with the information. Stay tuned to Wings by Leverage Edu for more such informative and interesting blogs.