This annual event is marked on March 24th of every year to commemorate Dr. Robert Koch's discovery, in 1882, for tubercle bacillus causing tuberculosis (TB), which was the first step towards diagnosing the disease and its treatment. Current efforts are focused on the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, as global studies indicate the following:
- One third of the world’s population is infected with TB.
- In 2014, 9.6 million people around the world became sick with TB disease. There were 1.5 million TB-related deaths worldwide.
- TB is a leading killer of people who are HIV infected.
A total of 9,421 TB cases (a rate of 2.96 cases per 100,000 persons) were reported in the United States in 2014. Both the number of TB cases reported and the case rate decreased; this represents a 1.5% and 2.2% decline, respectively, compared to 2013. This is the smallest decline in more than a decade.
Official Date:
Globally: March 24th, 2016
Locally: Jumada Al-Akhira 15th, 1437H
Logo:
Theme:
(United to End TB)
Targeted Group:
- Patients with active tuberculosis.
- Patients suffering from latent tuberculosis (TB) infection.
- Persons in contact with Tuberculosis patients for a long period of time.
- Workers in the health care sector, who are in direct contact with tuberculosis patients.
- The elderly.
- People suffering from diseases of the weak immune system, such as HIV/AIDS patients.
- People with low income, who live in unhealthy environments.
Objectives:
- To early detect the cases affected with tuberculosis and treat them.
- To apply all preventive actions to tuberculosis patients.
- To render comprehensive care for patients.
- To provide effective vaccines to protect against tuberculosis.
- To free the community of tuberculosis.