World TB Day 2009

March 24 marks a special day as it is the World TB Day.  It was on 24 March 1882 that Robert Koch identified and described the bacillus causing Tuberculosis (TB).  TB has been around for thousands of years, it has even been found in the spines of Egyptian mummies. 

You can Stop TB.  Join us.  www.stoptb.org 

Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association and the Research Institute of Tuberculosis are stopping TB. 

MARCH 24, 2009

http://www.who.int/en/

“I AM Stopping TB” is a two-year campaign that began in 2008.  It is a message of empowerment; a message which says that all people can do their part to stop TB. 

However, there is still much that needs to be done to create a TB free world.

  1. BulletDrug-resistant TB is not being addressed with sufficient speed or commitment.  Everyone is at risk and action is needed now.

  2. BulletWorld leaders have acknowledged the urgent need to confront the co-epidemic of HIV and TB.  Now it is time for countries to take action by getting TB services to all people living with HIV and HIV services to all those affected by TB.

Patients can stop TB by becoming active participants in their own cure and taking all their anti-TB drugs as prescribed.

Health workers can stop TB by staying alert to the symptoms of the disease and providing prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Scientists can stop TB by engaging in needed research to develop new diagnostics, new drugs and new vaccines.

Teachers can stop TB by educating their students about this age-old scourge.

Communities can stop TB by sharing information to help prevent the disease and get treatment to those who need it.

  1. BulletScientific investigation can provide answers to many urgent questions about TB.  We need more basic research to better understand the complex nature of the TB bacilli.  We also need operational research to make TB services more accessible and their delivery more efficient.

  2. BulletFour out of ten people who become ill with TB fail to get accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.  To reach them, public programmes need to form new and innovative partnerships with other groups providing TB services, such as private health care providers and faith-based organizations.

PHILIPPINES

CAMBODIA

THAILAND

JAPAN

Dr. Ishikawa

Director of RIT

Dr. Kato

Vice-Director of RIT

Dr. Yamada

Head of the Department of International Cooperation