WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY

World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated around the world on March 24th each year to commemorate the history of the discovery of the bacterium Mycobacterium Tuberculosis by Dr. Robert Koch on March 24, 1882, aimed at increasing awareness, commitment and support of all parties to the prevention and control of Tuberculosis around whole world.

The theme of this year's celebration is "Invest To End Tuberculosis Saves Lives", to ensure patients have access to TB diagnosis and treatment as it saves patients from getting unwanted complications such as death from the disease.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and spread through the air. The symptoms of tuberculosis include cough that lasts more than two weeks, fever, night sweats, poor appetite, weight loss and hemoptysis. Symptomatic individuals should undergo initial examination and treatment at nearby health clinics and hospitals.

The number of tuberculosis cases reported in Malaysia in 2021 is 21,727 cases (incidence rate 63.5 per 100,000 population) which is a decrease of 1,917 cases (8.1 percent) compared to 23, 644 cases (incidence rate 72.4 per 100,000 population) in 2020. The total number of tuberculosis deaths is 2,288, a decrease of 32 deaths (1.4 percent) in 2021 compared to 2020 with a death rate of 6.6 per 100,000 population.

Let us work together to prevent and treat tuberculosis well so that we can achieve the goal of a tuberculosis -free Malaysia by 2035.

Date of Input: 25/03/2022 | Updated: 12/05/2022 | izzatussofia