World TB Day 2019: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
World TB Day 2019: Every year we commemorate World Tuberculosis Day on 24th March. It is observed to raise awareness about the declining health, social, economic consequences of TB, and elevate the measures to end the global TB epidemic. Tuberculosis is like all other contagious diseases which are caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and spreads through the air. Well, discriminating the patients is not a solution. Tuberculosis is one of the 10 causes of death worldwide. Every year 10 million people fall prey to tuberculosis and 1.6 million dies due to it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) out of 10 million, 0.3 million get infected by HIV. Estimation by WHO 54 million people were saved between years 2000 to 2017.
Image Catucci by Rishav Diwan
World TB Day 2019: The theme and importance
The theme this year is quite strong on its own, ‘It’s Time’. This already states the alarming situation when it is about Tuberculosis. The declining health is the issue ever since but the discrimination is turning into a bigger issue.
This theme has several goals to achieve where It’s Time
To keep the promises made at the UN High-Level Meeting on TB
For a world without TB
To treat 40 million people affected by TB by 2022
To know your TB status
To eradicate discrimination against TB patients
Conclusion
Tuberculosis is a treatable and curable disease. Active, passive, drug-susceptible TB disease is treated with a standard 6-month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer. Without such support, treatment adherence can be difficult and the disease can spread. The vast increase of TB cases can be cured when medicines are provided and taken properly but only with our support to each other.
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The success of the plan will depend on countries respecting the following 4 key measures as they implement the below points.
1. Government stewardship and accountability, with monitoring and evaluation of the health
2. Strong collaboration with civil society organizations and communities.
3. Protection and promotion of human rights, ethics, and equity
4. Adaptation of the strategy and targets at the national level, with global support.
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