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TB still affects millions each year
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On Wednesday, March 24, health care professionals around the world will recognize World TB Day to bring attention to the global fight against tuberculosis (TB). This year’s theme is “TB Elimination: Together We Can”. The World Health Organization estimates that 8.8 million people contract TB each year, a new infection every second with nearly two million people dying annually from the disease.
“This year, the focus is on strengthening partnerships with health care professionals to control TB and recognize those at highest risk for developing the disease, including the immigrant, First Nation and homeless populations,” said Justeen Mansourian, a public health nurse with the Sudbury & District Health Unit.
To mark World TB Day, the Sudbury & District Health Unit is hosting an educational session for health care professionals who perform diagnostic tuberculosis testing, assessments, and treatment. The session will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Regent Street. Guest speakers are Dr. Mazen Saleh, associate professor of microbiology at Laurentian University, and Jane McNamee, an acute care nurse practitioner from West Park Healthcare Centre in Toronto, Canada’s first sanitarium for tuberculosis patients.
“With more drug-resistant TB strains emerging, health professionals are coming together to improve and develop new diagnostics, new drugs and new vaccines. With enhanced screening, prompt diagnosis and preventive treatment, the local fight against TB will help combat TB globally,” said Mansourian.
World TB Day commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, taking the first step in eliminating the deadly disease.
Tuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable. Communities around the world continue to mobilize, raise awareness, engage with governments, and encourage sponsors to invest in TB control.
For more information about tuberculosis, visit www.sdhu.com or call the Sudbury & District Health Unit at (705) 522-9200, ext. 301 or toll free at 1-866-522-9200.
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