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Ethiopia observes World 'Stop Tuberculosis Day'Posted on : 2005-03-28 | Author : Brian Holmes News Category : Health In spite of massive efforts being made to curb the occurrence of tuberculosis, the respiratory affliction remains a ‘serious problem’, especially in Africa, which has high occurrence of HIV, the World Health Organization (WHO) said ahead of World Tuberculosis Day 2005. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, with the second highest incidence of tuberculosis in Africa, observed ‘World Stop Tuberculosis Day’ with ‘Frontline TB care providers: Heroes in the fight against TB’, ‘Open windows and prevent TB’ as themes. A one-day workshop by Panos Ethiopia aimed at putting the spotlight on the threat of tuberculosis. The workshop, while inviting the media’s assistance in preventing tuberculosis, gave insights into the correlation of the respiratory ailment with HIV. Dr Zerihun Tadesse, program manager, Ethiopia Ministry of Health’s Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program, said, “Tuberculosis is a chronic infection caused by micro-bacterial tuberculosis. It is predisposed by factors such as poverty, malnutrition, and crowded living and HIV infection.” Calling attention to the fact that globally over two billion people in the world are afflicted with tuberculosis, he said that 62 to 70 per cent of African population is afflicted with the disease. Ranking seventh in the list of countries with high incidence of tuberculosis, Ethiopia is second only to Nigeria in the African continent. “In the past year alone, 124,223 people infected with tuberculosis have received treatment in Ethiopia. If the disease is not monitored in 20 years, one billion people will be infected, 20 million will develop it and 35 million will die from tuberculosis,” Dr Zerihun said. WHO’s regional director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, in his message on World Tuberculosis Day 2005 said, “Sub-Sahara Africa, which has 10 per cent of the world population, accounts for at least 25 per cent of global notified tuberculosis cases every year.” Since 1994, the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program has been trying to decrease the incidence and prevalence of both the diseases. In 1996, the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program detected and treated 121,000 fresh cases and found that 30 per cent of these cases were HIV positive. However, lack of awareness and access to adequate healthcare has led to many cases going undetected. Since 1997, a special unit at both the central and the regional level has been supporting the program in planning, monitoring, evaluating, training, technical supervision, drug supply and research. Go to SOURCE of article |