World TB Day Events
March 24, 2002

Please visit this page to find out what other countries are planning for this year's World TB Day celebrations:

WHO Regional Offices: AFRO - AMRO - EMRO - EURO - SEARO - WPRO

• Argentina
  - World TB Day events in Argentina, March 24
  For more information (background - word doc. or pdf file, event - word doc. or pdf file). (contact: direccionconi@infovia.com.ar).

• Bangladesh
  - World TB Day celebrations, Bangladesh, March 24:
  For more information: word doc. or pdf file (contact: decolomb@bangla.net).

• Bolivia
  - World TB Day Bolivia, March 24:
  Bolivia para el dia mundial de la tuberculosis tiene planeado las siguientes actividades: 24 de marzo: Feria de salud tema tuberculosis, lema "luchar contra la tuberculosis es luchar contra la pobreza", con exposicion de diferentes actores, sectores publicos, privados, ONGs. Concurso de paneles de dibujo de escuelas periurbanas de La Paz, presentacion de paneles el 24 (feria de salud) Concurso de ponencias de escuelas periurbanas de La Paz con el mismo lema, a ser debatidos en un canal televisivo el 25 de marzo. 25 de marzo Marcha estudiantil (universidades) con el mismo lema. Acto publico precidido por el Ministro de Salud, donde se dara a conocer los resultados del estudio del RAI y se presentara el material IEC producido por el PNCT, con inauguracion de la campaña educativa. Iicio de la transmisión por medios masivos de la campaña IEC nacional. Discusion y debate sobre la tuberculosis en diferentes medios televisivos. La presentacion de los materiales educativos, podre enviarle la proxima semana por correo electrónico. Esperando haber respondido a su solicitud, reciba usted un saludo fraterno (contact: mdelgranado@yahoo.com).

  (English translation: On 24 of March there will be a health fair on the theme of Stop TB, fight poverty, with the involvement of various different public and private sector organisations and NGOs. There will also be the presentation of the entries from a drawing competition held among the suburban schools of La Paz and prizes will be awarded to the winners. There will also be a speaking competition with entrants from suburban La Paz schools on the same theme, which will be televised on March 25. Students of the universities will be arranging a march on the same day.
  There will also be a public event presided over by the Minister of Health, where the results of the study of the RAI will be announced along with the and the IEC material produced by the PNCT, with inauguration of an educational campaign on the subject of TB.
  There will also be the initiation of a massive national IEC campaign, with discussion and debate about tuberculosis in different media).

• Brazil
  - Events in the states of Brazil for the Week of Mobilisation and the Fight against TB:
  For more information: word doc. or pdf file (contact: sps.planotbmh@saude.gov.br).

• Bulgaria
  - World TB Day activities in Bulgaria:
  Large scale explanatory and health-educational events will be carried out at regional level under the title "Tuberculosis". They will involve medical specialists from the pneumo-phthisical network and the Hygiene-Epidemiological Inspectorates /HEI/, the local authorities, the regional inspectorates on education, the prisons' governing bodies, the structures of the Regional National Health Insurance Fund /RNHIF/ and the Bulgarian Red Cross, NGOs, the mass media, foundations, associations, Roma activists, etc.

  The planned events and activities will be realized in the form of :
  lectures, talks, pressconferences, TV and radio broadcasts, publications in the press, distribution of leaflets, brochures and folders, organization of theme meetings with GPs, charity actions, etc. (contact: wholobg@who.bg).

• Canada
  - World TB Day Conference - Stop TB, fight poverty, Ottawa, Canada, March 23 & 24:
  For more information click HERE (contact: Melissa_Phypers@hc-sc.gc.ca).

• Cambodia
  - Cambodia TB Weekly No.11-2002 (18-24 March) CENAT/JICA National TB Control Project, Cambodia
  
  World TB Day, 24 March, Cerebration in Phnom Penh, 20 March
  World TB Day was cerebrated in Phnom Penh on 20 March followed by National TB conference, 21-22 March. While Phnom Penh Municipality organized a procession, marching, NTP had ceremonial meeting with MOH representatives led by HE Dr Mam Bun Heng, Secretary of Health, Municipality staff led by Mr., Mob Sarin, Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh, NTP staff and representatives of WHO and other donor agencies. The participants of the meeting welcomed the arrival of the procession mostly by volunteer students, releasing balloons with message "STOP TB, Fight Poverty. Do it with DOTS". 90 Patients in CENAT received World TB Day gift donated by CENAT and its friends. Several provinces cerebrated World TB Day in weekend, and others would do in the week of 25 March.
  
  7th Annual National TB Conference, at MCH Center, 21-22 March
  Even CENAT changed venue from CENAT to MCH Center to secure the space, some of 276 participants who came to the Annual National TB Conference a little late in the morning could not find seats to listen to interesting lectures and to join hot discussions. Big surprise for the organizers was that 37 International or Governmental Organizations and international and domestic NGOs sent their representatives and staff. It showed power of NTP and power of this weekly communication.
  One of the highlights of the conference was definitely a very impressive guest lecture by Ms Jintana Ngamvithayapong-Yanai, a social scientist from Thailand who is one of core members of STOP TB TB/HIV Global Working Group. She showed "Power of DOTS and Power of Health Workers" strikingly, using her experience in Chiang Rai of Northern Thailand.
  The other big fruit of the conference was that many organizations expressed their commitment of continuous support to TB program. Especially, the strong commitment by World Food Program to continue support food to TB patients encouraged NTP staff a lot.
  Being related to World TB Day theme of "STOP TB, STOP Poverty", Dr Jayavanth (Jay), a coordinator of WB Project/CENAT, had a lecture of "DOTS & Human Rights".
  From JICA, Dr Yamada, Short Term Advisor for the survey from RIT Tokyo, briefed coming National TB Prevalence Survey; Ms Tamura presented the 5 months experience of TB screening clinic for PLWHA at CENAT; Ms Yamakami showed the progress of TB lab service to which she has been contributing since November 1996; and Dr Onozaki organized a session of qualitative external evaluation on DOTS Pilot Program.
  HE Dr Hun Sen Hong Sun Huot, the Ministry of Health, congratulated NTP and all partrcipants on the success of the conference at the closing ceremony, inviting provincial governors to organize National TB Committee Annual Meeting.

  Special Committee of TB in Children, 19 March at CENAT
  NTP moved to develop a guideline of TB in children with integrated efforts of concerned experts. Leading pediatricians from Calmet, Kunthabopha and National Pediatric hospitals, representative of the communicable disease control division of MOH and CENAT doctors gathered to make the guideline for referral hospitals especially where they do not have a specialist.
  Since NTP has been putting priority on smear positive cases, the registration of children in NTP has been less than 1% of total cases. In theory, 5-15% of TB cases might be children. Due to the lack of proper diagnostic guideline in NTP, it seems that many cases are left without treatment. Moreover staffs of central hospitals reported that they diagnosed a lot but many of those from provinces could not afford to complete therapy. Dr Eang, the director of CENAT, said that they would publish the guideline in next quarter.

  Other Activity
  Review Meetings of Pilot Survey, 18, 19, 22 March
  Dr Yamada from RIT completed his one month assignment to assist final preparations of the National TB Prevalence Survey and returned to Tokyo on 23 March. RIT continues assisting final preparation through electrical communications.
  Party Rash: Since Ms Yamakami, Lab expert, will complete her 5 years and 5 months work in Cambodia, leaving for Japan on 30 March, every section of CENAT hosts a farewell party.
  (contact: onozaki@bigpond.com.kh).

  - We would like to share with how the International Organization for Migration's Migration Health Services (MHS) will celebrate the World TB Day 2002 in some parts of the world:

  • IOM Phnom Penh donated 200.00 USD to the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Center for their World TB Day Activities. This fund will be used for IEC materials, support for the parade and gifts, i.e., food and clothing to tuberculosis patients in the TB Ward of the National TB Center. This activity will be done on March 20.

  On March 22, our Senior Nurse and TB Programme Nurse will organize a health education session with the IOM patients undergoing DOTS treatment - together with their family members. The session will be held in the morning during their daily supervised treatment.

  To improve the knowledge and understanding of IOM medical staff, our two nurses and migration health physician will attend the National Conference on Tuberculosis on March 21-22, which is sponsored by JICA and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Center of Cambodia (contact: liuri@iom.int).

• Colombia
  - World TB Day events in Colombia, March 22:
  Para celebrar el Día Mundial de la Tuberculosis, en la Ciudad de Popayan, Cauca, Colombia se desarrollará la V Jornada de Actualización y Participación Comunitaria en Tuberculosis y simultaneamente se hará un acto de Celebración de los 100 años de la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

  Como acto principal se graduarán 50 líderes comunitarios como Vigías del Programa de Control de Tuberculosis de Popayán, quienes están capacitados para detectar y remitir personas con síntomas respiratorios y supervisar durante 6 meses el tratamiento de enfermos tuberculosss que por razones de distancia no pueden acceder a los centros de salud.

  Se presentará el modelo de "Manejo Integral de la Tuberculosis en el Municipio de Popayán" en el que se combina en manera armónica la Estrategia DOTS y el apoyo comunitario a través de los medios de comunicación y de los programas de nutrición fundamentados en Redes de Huertas Caseras y Comunitarias como parte de los Proyectos de "Popayán:Ciudad Autosuficiente" - Agenda: word doc. or pdf file (contact: atenorio@iname.com).

• Congo
  - Arrangements for observing World TB Day in Brazzaville are in full gear, March 23-25.
  Some details :
  • Message of the Govt of the Republic of Congo on the occasion of WTBD 2002 ( to be published/broadcast by print and electronic media on March 23
  • Visit to TB treatment facilities in Brazzaville - March 25
  • Official handing over of drugs – March 25
  • T-shirts are to be produced and distributed
  • All activities to be promoted through a multimedia campaign

  INF/AFRO is working closely with the Information Officer at the WHO country office to actualize all the above.
  NB: The message from the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Ebrahim Samba, is now available in English (word doc. or pdf file) and French (word doc. or pdf file) (contact: ajibolas@afro.who.int).

• Congo (Democratic Republic of)
  - Voici en attaché le programme de notre Journée mondiale de la Tuberculose, mars 22-23:
  
  • Vendredi 22 mars 2002 et Samedi 23 mars 2002, un message Radiotélévisé du Ministre de la santé sur le thème de la journée sera diffusé.
  • Samedi 23 mars 2002 : Journée de Sensibilisation de la population dans un quartier populaire de Kinshasa ( à MASINA ).
    A cette occasion, les anciens malades tuberculeux vont jouer une pièce de théatre sur le thème de l’année.
    Le Programme National Tuberculose donnera un message.
    Il est prévu que le Gouverneur de la ville de KINSHASA prenne la parole ainsi que le Ministre de la santé
  • Une Journée d’information des journalistes sera organisée la première quinzaine du mois d’avril 2002 (contact: erbahati@yahoo.fr).

• Czech Republic
  - World TB Day events in the Czech Republic:
  The Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic organized with the National TB Surveillance Unit a Press Conference devoted to the World Day 2002. The Conference was held in Prague on 4 April and was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Health. More than 50 journalists were present. The information on the TB situation in the Czech Republic in 2001 was presented. There was a live discussion afterwards. As a consequence a live discussion on TB was held on 8 April at our very popular private TB Channel (TV Nova). (contact: ludek.trnka@fnb.cz).

• Côte d’Ivoire
  - World TB Day events in Côte d'Ivoire, April 20:
  We, the Côte d'Ivoire TB working group, have delayed the original World TB Day 2002 to April 20 2002 due to many other local reasons. It has been planning a week national media coverage on tuberculosis, including carnival vehicle which will run around national 10 cities in the south. The idea carried should be a visible mega Tuberculosis pathogen setting up over these cities and against which everyone should care and pay attention and work for its removal. Still, we'll miss financial support for gaze and food buying to carry this pathogen picture all over the country. Another positive aspect yet to work on is the use of the World TB Day allocated living to promote TB-drug in-taken supervision either by health care workers or relatives. We should notice that drug in-taken supervision has been poorly accomplished, not up to 5% in that country (contact: yla0@cdc.gov).

• Dominican Republic
  - World TB Day celebrations in the Dominican Republic, March 17-24:
  Para esta ocasion estamos coordinando la celebracion de una serie de actividades y la oficina local de OPS nos esta ofreciendo apoyo. Como primero actividad, ha sido declarada la semana del 17 al 24 de marzo como semana de la lucha contra la TB, a la vez tenemos un taller de sensibilizacion de TB y estrategia DOTS/TAES con los periodistas de la saluda de nuestro pais, el ministro de salud difundira un mensaje corto a traves de los diferentes medios de comunicacion, celebraremos nuestro IV Simposium con un programa adecuado a la TB, habra actividades en las escuelas de diversas localidades del pais, charlas, etc... y para el domingo 24 de marzo, estamos coordinando un acto en todas las provincias del pais para hacer una movilizacion social de todos los sectores de la sociedad en referencia a la situacion de la TB, su prevencion y el tratamiento con la aplicaion de la estrategia DOTS/TAES. Ademas el jueves 21 tendremos una ceremonia para medicos, asistentes sociales y enfermeras que han dedicado muchos años en esta lucha (contact: ivelisse_acosta@yahoo.com).

  (English translation: For this occasion we are coordinating the celebration of a series of activities and the local office of OPS is offering their support. The week 17 to 24 March has been declared a week dedicated to the fight against TB. At the same time we have a sensitivisation workshop on TB and the DOTS strategy with journalists from national health periodicals, the health minister will deliver a short message via different mass media we celebrate our fourth Symposium with a program focusing on TB, we have co-ordinated activities in schools across the country, with lectures and so on. On Thursday 21 March we will have a social ceremony for doctors, assistants and nurses who have dedicated many years in the fight against TB. On Sunday 24 March we are coordinating an act in all the provinces of pais to make a social mobilization of all the sectors of the society its prevention and the processing with aplicaion of strategy DOTS/TAES).

• Egypt
  - World TB Day in the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, March 24:

• Etiopia
  - World TB Day events 2002 in Ethiopia, March 24-25:
  This year, the TB and Leprosy Control Team (TLCT) of Ethiopia has expanded its World TB Day Activities to the Regions. The following events have been organised through the active participation of the Regional members of the TB Research Advisory Committee (TRAC), established in 2001 with the support of TDR/WHO and the Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission.

  In Gondar, 785 km to the north of Addis, posters reflecting the Theme for this year have already been posted at major sites in the city. This week, in preparation for the TB Day, educational leaflets on TB written in Amharic are being distributed to all outpatient visitors of the health care providers in the city. Specific educational leaflets on DOTS have also been issued to TB patients and medical and health science students. On March 24, children dressed for the occasion will walk through the main streets of the city carrying lighted candles. A panel discussion, organised by the Zonal Health Bureau and the Gondar College of Medical Sciences (GCMS) on the impact of TB and HIV/AIDS on the population of Gondar will be held in the City Hall. This public gathering will be addressed by the Zonal Health Bureau. The event will be followed by a bicycle race organised by the Zonal Sports Commission. In addition, there will be seminars sponsored by the Ethiopian Medical Association and GCMS on the deadly synergy of HIV/AIDS and TB to commemorate the event. According to Dr Shitaye Alemu who is organizing the activities, all events will have national media coverage.

  In Jimma, 300 km to the south-west of Addis, a meeting is scheduled for March 25 in the Faculty of Medical Sciences where research and study articles on tuberculosis will be presented. The meeting is open to the public (contact: aseffaa@netscape.net).

• Ghana
  - World TB Day events Ghana:
  This year the climax of World TB day activities will occur in Ghana's second largest city, Kumasi. A float supported by a fleet of Vehicles is to be paraded along the principal streets of Kumasi.
  A brass band will accompany the activities and leafleting of educational materials will be done simultaneously.
  The parade will end on the palace grounds of the King of the Ashanti Kingdom. A durbar is organized for politicians, Ministry of Health top management personnel and WHO country representative to address the gathering. His Royal Highness the Asantehene has been invited to grace the occasion.
  A series of radio, television programmes is being organized throughout the country.
  A full page newspaper advert on the occasion is expected on the day. Health personnel will participate in popular talk show design for TB control. Most of the events are being sponsored by the WHO country office (contact: ntp@africaonline.com.gh).

• Guyana
  - World TB Day in Guyana, March 24:
  Since the focus will be on poverty, we will continue activities for the rest of the year.
  1. I have already stared some public awareness program using the mass media. We have developed banners to be displayed at strategic points drawing attention to TB as a problem in Guyana and its close association with poverty.
  2. I am planning a public forum on TB on Sunday 24th march at which I hope some of the agencies and NGO's involved in poverty reduction programs will participate.
  3. The Minister of Health in Guyana will give a media address to the nation on stop TB and fighting poverty. I will help to prepare the speech
  4. Over the week the TB program staff will be involved in group discussion at schools, workplaces and with community groups.
  5. We have just completed training of prison officers on DOTS in the Prisons of Guyana. The program will be launched next week. In the next 2 months a pilot DOTS program will be implemented in some poorer areas of the City of Georgetown where about 1/3 of cases occur (contact: mohsp@sdnp.org.gy).

• Haiti
  - We are almost done: posters and leaflets are under printing, educational messages are being recorded. The theme has adapted to our creole " Ann Kombat Tibèkiloz pou tout moun ret vanyan". There is a large mobilization of all our partners to make this world TB Day a great  event this year. The launching will take place on March 22 (contact: myrthalouissaint@hotmail.com).

• Hong Kong
  - World TB Day activities in Hong Kong, March 23-24:
  1. An exhibition on TB for the general public will be conducted on 23rd and 24th of March 2002. An opening ceremony for this exhibition will be held on March 23, officiated by important government health officials and other distinguished guests. There will be some performance including the singing of a song on TB. Exhibition materials include knowledge on various aspects of TB, X-rays, TB medications, computer programmes, CD-ROMs and games on TB, and the exhibition will be manned by medical and nursing personnel;
  2. Seminars on TB will be conducted on 23rd and 24th of March 2002 for the medical professionals;
  3. A web site on "TB in Hong Kong" will be launched, for the health education for the general public and provision of information and references for doctors in Hong Kong;
  4. A CD-ROM on TB, which is basically a replica of the TB web site as described in "3" above, will be produced and sent to all registered medical doctors in Hong Kong;
  5. TB workers will meet the media to disseminate information on TB;
  6. Posters are to be put up in various clinics, hospitals, and some NGOs for publicity on TB (contact: cmtamdh@netvigator.com).

• India
  - Mahavir PPM DOTS which was supported by DFID and sponsored by WHO has become a part of the program from Oct 2001. Apart from fulfilling the program indicators of high cure rates and detection rates, Mahavir PPM has been targeting social and gender equity. The highlight of the year 2002 World TB Day will be to project Mahavir's efforts in that direction which also aptily fit into this years theme "Stop TB to fight Poverty" and also being the International year of the women. In this context the Chief guest is Dr. N. Janardhan Reddy, Hon'ble Minister for Medical Health & Family planning, Government of Andhra Pradesh,and Prof. Shanta Sinha, Dept. of Political Sciences, University of Hyderabad, who is known internationally for her pioneering work in educating street children. It is also in the fitness of things that we commemorate the President Bill Clinton's visit to this hospital on 24th March 2000, World TB Day to give last dose and declare a TB patient cured. Mr.Bernard J.Alter, Consul general U.S.A in Chennai had kindly accepted to unveil the plaque of the event (word doc. or pdf file) (contact: kollurijrm@hotmail.com).
  
  - I am WHO Consultant for Revised National TB Control Program looking after 10 disstricts of Rajasthan, India. We are using the World TB Day as an opportunity to expand the DOTS program thru every conceivale means.In Udaipur district we have planned the following events:
  i) CME for Medical College, Doctors from Periphery/other Private & Public Institutions
  ii) Rally of school children with message of DOTS
  iii) rally of Elephant & Camel with banners containing message of DOTS
  iv)Exhibition related to DOTS at TB Clinic
  v) Banners with messages of DOTS at TUs/DMCs/PHCs /other public places
  vi) Talk through radio
  vii)Message & advt. in Local N.Papers
  viii)Booklet with message of DOTS to be distributed with the N.Paper on that day
  ix)Street Shows & Puppet shows with message of DOTS through NGO involved in RNTCP in periphery & town.
  Similarly these activities will also be undertaken in the other districts, which will be informed to you after the event (contact: sinhas@tbcindia.org).
  
  - To mark the World TB Day March 24, the role of NGOs, Private Health Sectors, is emphasized. St. Marthas Hospital, a 600 bedded Missionary hospital in Bangalore city is successfully running the DOTS Centre with the following activities: documentation of TB cases, quality sputum microscopy, categorization of TB patients for DOTS, referring out of TB cases, to the nearest Government Health Centers of the patients residence, follow - up of some the TB patients at St. Marthas Hospital for DOTS, measuring subjectively the outcome of TB patients received at the hospital, giving technical feedback to the government, for TB surveillance, providing nidus for productive TB research, contributing towards TB control, etc. Since private health sectors attract a large number of patients, their role in national TB control programme is of vital importance. But their contribution is negligible. Therefore, the activities of TB control at a private health sector such as St. Marthas could be replicated at other private health sectors. this is made possible by holding clinical society meetings, calling private health sectors & private medical practitioners to participate by publishing in widely circulated newspapers, etc. (contact: shashikala@joymail.com).
  
  - The Respiratory Research Foundation of India is conducting a joint awareness programme on tuberculosis. It is joined by Rotary club of North West, Rotary club of Cosmos and Rotary club of Aarch City. Dr.R.Narasimhan, Chairman of the Respiratory Research Foundation of India spoke on the history of World TB day and the vision of the foundation to make this millennium a TB free one. Governor of 3230 Rotary district delivered the keynote address. The stress was on including all the people interested in controlling TB should join hands. Visit our website http://www.rrfindia.org for more information. (contact: rrfindia@hotmail.com).
  
  - World TB Day events at the Mahavir Hospital, India, March 24:
  Mahavir PPM DOTS is celebrating the World TB Day on 24 th March. For more information click HERE. (contact: kollurijrm@hotmail.com).

• Indonesia
  - World TB Day in Indonesia, March 21-24 & April 4:
  Kindly be informed of our activities for the coming TB day 2002 as follows :
  1. Publish book entitle "Tuberculosis, Diagnosis, Therapy and it's Problems, 4th edition" (in Indonesian language), published by Mycobacterial Laboratory Persahabatan Hospital;
  2. Publish "Manual on TB Microbiology", 2nd edition (in Indonesian), published by Mycobacterial Laboratory Persahabatan Hospital;
  3. Publish special edition of "TB Bulletin" (in Indonesian), which cover articles about Tb & poverty, published by Mycobacterial Laboratory Persahabatan Hospital;
  4. Collecting all of publication regarding TB in Indonesian medical journal, starting from 1990;
  5. Audience to Indonesian Minister of Health (as President of Indonesian Association of Pulonologist) which discussion topic on revitalization of "Gerdunas TB" and providing TB drugs to hospital;
  6. The Indonesian Association of Pulmonologist will held scientific seminar "TB Update 2002" on 23 - 24 March 2002 in Surabaya, which will be officially open by Minister Of Health;
  7. Other branches of Indonesian Association of Pulmonologist will also held scientific meeting / seminar in their cities;
  8. Being a chairman of steering committee, Indonesian anti TB Association National Congress , 21 - 23 March 2002;
  9. Being an OC chairman and a speaker of National seminar on TB & Poverty, Jakarta 4 April 2002.
     (contact: doctjand@indosat.net.id).

  - World TB Day celebrations in Indonesia, March 21-24 & April 11:
  For more information: word doc. or pdf doc. (contact: day_rose@hotmail.com).
  
  - World TB Day activities with the Indonesian Association of Pulmonologist:

  1. Held a Seminar "TB Update 2002" in Surabaya, 23-24 march 2002, by our East Java Branch collaboration with Airlangga University and Dr Soetomo hospital;
  2. Our Branch in Malang and West Java held press conference and health education activities in their respective hospitals;
  3. The West Sumatera Branch of our association will held a TB seminar in padang on 4 May 2002;
  4. Published "TB Articles 1980 - 2002" which were published in official journals of pur associations since 1980;
  5. Being a speaker in various TB seminars in the country related to TB day, including talk show on 24 March in Jakarta and speaker on TB & Poverty seminar which will be held at MOH office on 11 April 2002 (contact: doctjand@indosat.net.id).

• Kenya
  - We are planning to hold the 6th WTBD in Kenya. The event will be marked in all the 8 Provincial headquarters and all the Provincial Tuberculosis and Leprosy coordinators are mandated to see to it that this day is successfully commemorated.
  1. The planing started way back in January but the events started on 13^th March when a chest physician was interviewed on Family TV. We have many of these slots on TV and state radio. In Total about ten doctors are going to be interviewed on different media outlets;
  2. We have bought space in the Nation, a widely read paper in Kenya and we intend to run a supplement on TB on March 23;
  3. The Minister of Medical services will officially receive the GDF drug donation from the World Health representative, Kenya on March 20;
  4. The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health will visits a pre event activity in the Nairobi slums and officially inaugurate the WTBD activity. The PS will see patients and later address a press conference stating the venue for WTBD, the theme and little more efforts made by the Kenyan Government to control TB;
  5. The national event will be held in Garissa Town, in Northern Kenya. This is an arid and semi arid region and has a high TB burden. The residents are nomads and therefore we use the famous "Manyatta Regimen". The minister will be the guest of honor. Just before the speech from the minister, we shall mount a free medical camp where residents of the town will be consult all manner of medical problem and will be treated. The main participants will be our Medical students from University of Nairobi and specialist from the university and the Kenya medical training college. They will be assisted by the staff at the Garissa General Hospital. This event will be graced by the WHO Representative., The Regional TB adviser for the African Regiona (AFRO), Ministry officers, the members of the diplomatic cores and our close partners in TB control, i.e. CDC, USAID, FHI etc. The event will be preceded by Drama, poems and songs (contact: nltp@insightkenya.com).

  - The Mirichi Organic Farmers Community in the Central Province in Kenya (on the southern slopes of Mount Kenya) will be celebrating World TB Day with a 6 days 'Mount Kenya Health Days' event. This year, starting out of next Monday. The plan is to offer a free screening to about 5000 farmers and patients for TB, AIDS, Malaria, and Diabetes, the biggest preventive event in the history of Kenya. The organization of the event is supported by DIP-Foundation (Int.) Kenya and the Massive Effort Campaign who is sending down a group of German TV-journalists and a freelance camera crew. Other contributions come from the sale of the 'Bread of Solidarity' in Switzerland. Details can be found in the evaluation of last years event [WTBD 2001 (pdf file) & Evaluation Report (pdf file)], March 18-24 (contact: info@macadamia.ch and Biruta_Schultz@medvantis.de).
  
  - We would like to share with how the International Organization for Migration's Migration Health Services (MHS) will celebrate the World TB Day 2002 in some parts of the world:

  • IOM Nairobi will provide a key speech at a public rally that will take place in a very high migrant density neighbourhood, in a slum area of metropolitan Nairobi (i.e. Eastleigh).

  
  The Office will financially contribute to the event (50,000 Shillings = 650 USD). It will also avail medical personnel for a free-clinic day (contact: liuri@iom.int).

• Kyrgyzstan
  - World TB Day events in Karakalpakistan, Kyrgyzstan, March 23-24:
  1. TB Education Project in Schools: The NS youth club was trained by the TB Training Center (a local NGO that was trained by MSF and works with the TB Dispensary) in TB prevention and treatment. The youth club developed skits and educational materials and visited 30 schools in Nukus City. They trained a group of the best students in each school (approx. 30 at each school) and those students will train the other students. At the same time they are having a poster contest for the students that they trained. The best poster will be used to make T-shirts for TB day (time and money allowing) or we will use it to make regular posters at a later date;
  2. TB Day Disco: the youth club will be holding a disco on TB Day for local young people. They will charge a small entrance fee and any money they make will go to future youth club activities. They will do their skits at the disco and have quizzes and games about TB symptoms, treatment, prevention etc. and give out prizes to the winners. The posters from the contest will be on display and small awards for 1, 2 and 3 place will be given out. If its possible to make T-shirts from the best poster in time, they will be raffled off at the disco or given as prizes. There will be material about TB available at the disco and bulletin boards with info, etc.;
  3. TB Day at the TB Dispensary in Nukus. On Saturday, March 23 we are sponsoring a spectacle at the TB Dispensary. There is a local theatre group that does plays about TB (prevention, symptoms, treatment, DOTS etc) as well as songs and dancing. They will do a show for the TB patients and medical staff and then there will be plov for everyone. The MoH and all other relevant big wigs will be invited including MSF. This will be outside and the youth club will decorate the area and we may have a raffle if there are T-shirts available. There should be about 700 people there. And we will make some speeches;
  4. TB Day for the Community: On Sunday, March 24 the same theatre group will put on a plays for the community at the local youth theatre. Same themes and songs and dances and speeches. The theatre seats about 300 and community leaders (the city is divided into mahallas with a mahalla head and each mahalla is divided into streets with street leaders- -all will attend), local NGOs, students, medical community etc will attend. There will be tables set up for information and local/international NGOs to put out information. We are also printing some material for the TB Training Center for that day in exchange for permission to print and use it ourselves in the future.
  5. Press: Local press (print and TV) will be invited to all events and possible Reuters/Almaty will also come. BBC expressed interest in coming (contact: skyspirit48@hotmail.com).

• Latvia (The Republic of)
  - World TB Day in the Republic of Latvia, March 22:
  The activities of the TB service of the Republic of Latvia for World TB day will take place on March 22^nd 2002 have been arranged as follows:

  There will be announcements and publications about the TB situation in each district and appeals for regular prophylaxis will be published in central and regional newspapers and mass media.

  We are also arranging a conference with participants from different governmental and non-governmental organizations - the government, the Red Cross, social services, and health care services. The theme of this conference is to be: "TB patients’ care during treatment - possibilities and solutions" (contact: tbcentrs@tuberculosis.lv).

  (Velos Jus informet par Latvijas tuberkulozes dienesta aktivitatem Pasaules tuberkulozes diena 2002.gada 22.marta.
  Rajonu un centralajos laikrakstos, radio un televizija bus publikacijas un uzstašanas par situacijas ar tuberkulozi analizi uz vietam, aicinajumi veikt regularas profilaktiskas apskates u.c.
  Ieplanota konference ar dažadu sabiedribas parstavju : valdibas, Latvijas Sarkana Krusta, socialo dienestu un medicinas darbinieku piedališanos par temu “Tuberkulozes slimnieku aprupe arstešanas laika, iespejas un risinajumi” (contact: tbcentrs@tuberculosis.lv).

• Macao
  - World TB Day events in Macao, March 24:
  Macao’s World TB Day activities will include a range of events. Firstly a Stamp Design Campaign in collaboration with the Post Office where entrants design a stamp on the theme of preventing tuberculosis and World TB day. There will also be a recreational activity on 24th March to raise citizens’ awareness of the issue of TB. There will also be a TB Seminar for the health workers of Macao, including participants from both the public and private sectors. Lectures to patients on the subject of TB awareness will be given in Health Centers.

  In terms of media events there will be articles in the press and speeches broadcast on national television and radio. World TB Day posters are to be posted in public places. There will also be a continuous campaign for TB on television and promotions using pictures and placards on bulletin boards in health centres (contact: ctb@macao.gov.mo).

• Malawi
  - World TB Day activities in Malawi, March 20-24:
  The National TB Control Programme had formed two Committees to plan and monitor activities of the World TB Day. The two committees were Protocol and Finance, Publicity and Media.
  The planned activities for this year's World TB Day include the following:-
  Briefing of Journalist 20/3/2002
  Briefing Producers and Radio announcers 20/3/2002
  Panel Discussion 22/3/2002
  Press Conference 22/3/2002
  Denomination Country wide Prayers 22, 23 & 24
  Press Release 23/3/2002
  Big Walk 24/3/2002
  Launching, The guest of honour will be the Hon. Minister of Health who will make the speech. Some activities on this day will include:
  Traditional Dances. Poems, Drama,
  Comedy, Foot ball Match and Health Education Band. 24/3/2002
  The 26 districts in the country have also planned the activities to take place in their centres. The Central Unit had a briefing with the District TB Officers on 15th March 2002 regarding the preparation of the Worlds TB Day (contact: tbcontrol@malawi.net).

• Malta
  - World TB Day events in Malta:
  • Presented an article (see attachment) in one of our leading newspapers. Besides being educative it covered the good work that we do to stop TB and the national TB situation. The theme of this year TB and Poverty was also emphasized;
  • Had an interview on TB with another local newspaper (contact: analita.pace-asciak@magnet.mt).

• Mexico
  - World TB Day events in Mexico:
  The Mexican national TB programme is planning a series of events for World TB Day this year. These include educative sessions, scholastic dot of horse armor, parades, plays, sociodramas, distribution of printed materials, messages through radio and television, large flyers, newspaper murals, and fairs on the subject of TB.

  In the city of Mexico a massive event with participation of health personnel will be held with the participation of the chiefs of the TB programmes of the 32 federal organizations, as well as of officials from the national health service (contact: ovelazquez@mail.ssa.gob.mx).

• Micronesia (Federated States of)
  - World TB Day events in Micronesia:
  There were essay contest, and poster competition among 7, 8, and 9 graders in 6 different Elementary schools. The Theme "TB Elimination, Now is the Time" was used on both. There were over 400 students participated in both events, and there were five essays, and five posters selected as winners. There were parades with different signs, posters, decorations, demonstrations, and others regarding the same theme. There were workshops among leaders in different communities, there were radio and TV spots all week. There were banners with the theme hanging all over the in all the four states. There were T-shirts with the theme inscribed on, provided among some of the participants as incentives. These were some of the things taking place during the whole week. Since 24th fell on the Sunday, the activities started on the 18th, Monday. It was fun, and at the same time very educational to the public (contact: fsmhiv@mail.fm).

• Middle East
  - Middle East combined WTBD events by UNRWA:
  The United Nations Relief & Works Agency (UNRWA) provides education, health and relief and social services to 3.9 million registered Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic, the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The World TB Day is celebrated in each of the above Fields in close coordination with the National TB programmes of the Ministries of Health. In each Field, a multisectoral committee is formulated for observance of International Days, including the World TB Day. The committee plans and follows-up on the activities. The World TB Day will be observed at UNRWA health centres, schools and women programme centres in the five Fields of UNRWA's area of operation. Planned activities on and around 24 March 2002 will include health staff and community mobilization in support of DOTS strategy. These encompass raising the awareness of TB sufferers and suspects to demand greater access to diagnosis and treatment of TB (contact: F.MOUSA@UNRWA.ORG).

• Nepal
  - World TB Day events in Nepal, March 18-24:
  
  - GENETUP\NATA, Nepal, March 22:
  GENETUP\NATA is going to organize a programme "MEET TO PRESS" on 22nd of March 2002 in Kathmandu at central office. GENETUP\NATA supporting districts are going to organize different programmes too. There will be procession of school children with the play card of Stop TB fight poverty and other slogans also (contact: nata@genetup.wlink.com.np).

• Nigeria
  - World TB Day this year, the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria with the support from WHO is planning to have:
  • A Ministerial Press Briefing on 25th March and
  • A one-day seminar for health editors/correspondents on the theme of this year's Day on 26th March 2002.
  • It will also print more copies of the TB and poverty Sticker and distribute them.
  • State Governments, NGOs and other partners will also be carrying out activities (contact: oghidea@who-nigeria.org).

  - World TB Day events in Nigeria, March 24:
  The Society for the Prevention & Eradication of TB in Nigeria -SPETBN has planned the following activities for the World TB Day.

  • Advocacy: Circulate article on TB to about 5000 members of our ISP subscribers into their inboxes;
  • TB messages will be aired on TV/RADIO on world TB day at prime time both coverage will reach about million people;
  • Scouting for political support. Members of the SPETBN will visit local House of Assembly to discuss TB issues with parliamentarians WTBD Sticker to be pasted on the official vehicles of the speaker and his deputy;
  • Looking back: Certificates will be given to patients that were placed on treatment last World TB Day(24th march 2001) using DOTS in pilot study. (contact: spetb@skannet.com).

• Norway
  - The Norwegian Lung and Heart Association (LHL) made a TV-spot on TB which was broadcasted during Easter. A letter was sent to all religious societies asking them to mention tuberculosis in their speeches this particular day. In addition, LHL wrote an article on the implementation of directly observed treatment in Norway. A press release was sent out to all national and local media. There was coverage of World TB Day and poverty in several the major newspapers and a lot of local press coverage in addition (contact: ASK@LHL.no).

• Pakistan
  - World TB Day events organized by the Aga Khan University, March 22:
  For more information (word doc. or pdf file) (contact: javaid.khan@aku.edu).
  
  - Today on 24th March, 02 on World TB Day, with the partnership of Shama Islamic Welfare society, we have arranged 'Health Training Workshop' in the village called Darawalla' This village is located between two District of the namely 'Toba Tek Singh' and District Faisalabad. We also invited NGOs from 'Toba Tek Singh District' to sensitize the NGOs and providing information that how effectively we can control and eliminate TB by joint venture from our region. We read different reports and inform that our Country is on high risk. Moreover, Mr. Stephen Anjum President of Tamir-Cheshire Community Programme deliver lecture on preventive measure and emphasis on joint effects to decrease the TB burden from our country. Other participants talked on Hepatitis B, C disease and preventive measures.

  The Chief guest was Mrs. Amina Zaman Khan, District Coordinator of 'South Asia Partnership' (a donor agency in Pakistan) made a wonderful speech emphasizing that the growing rate of TB is due to political instability in Pakistan. She gave good example of Bangladesh that lots of work has been done in Bangladesh and there are many successful effects made by NGOs in Bangladesh. so, it was decided that we can start work immediately with the support from Stop TB programme of WHO and one potential organization, which was nominated by majority of participants called 'Tamir-Cheshire Community Programme' from the NGO Network to contact Stop TB Programme and start DOTs programme, this programme will be replicated afterward by other NGOs working in rural and slums areas of Faisalabad (contact: tamir@fsd.paknet.com.pk).
  
  - World TB Day activities at the United Christian Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan:
  This year too we at UCH observed the day with free drug distribution, diagnostic tests, awareness lecture and movie to patients and students, nurses and doctors. A large part of my work is in Afghan refugee and northern area women where TB is common and we have cases on record where TB was spread from Afghan women's embroidered work to well to do households of Lahore (contact: alco1@nexlinx.net.pk).

• Panama
  - World TB Day events in Panama, March 24:
  For more information please click here (word doc. or pdf file) (contact: tbpan@sinfo.net).

• Paraguay
  - World TB Day events in Paraguay, March 22:
  For more information please click here (word doc. or pdf file) (contact: jararo@rieder.net.py).

• Peru
  - World TB Day activities in Peru, March - Organizer: Dos De Mayo National Hospital Symposia:
  
  Tuberculosis and Human Rights (15.03.02): on the origin of MDR TB in Peru.
  (The first Symposia in Peru about human rights of people with MDR TB)
  Las year were diagnosed 1500 MDR patients in Peru and the tendency is in increment.

  TB in Prisons (23.03.02):
  (First Symposia about this in Peru)
  More than 300,000 peoples visit the inmates each year, only in Lima
  (Contact: Dr Oswaldo Jave. E-mail: osjave@amauta.rcp.net.pe)

• Philippines
  - World TB Day events organized by the Philippines Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT), March 22 : Stop TB, Fight Poverty , Do It With DOTS.

  Every year World TB Day in the Philippines is spearheaded by the Phil. Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PhilCAT) a 50-member coalition of government, private and civil society groups as well as Phil.based international organizations. On March 18, the first event will be a motorcade, MOU signing of the first local PhilCAT affiliate, the Coalition of Concerned Cavitenos Against TB (CCCAT) in Trece Martires City, Cavite with the governor in attendance and signing the document. A handbook, Tutok Gamutan, a Public-private partnership in Tb control. There will be the launching of the private DOTS clinic in the afternoon and a seminar on the private-public referral system and TB Diagnostic Committee will be done. This year the event is being coordinated by the Philhealth and PhilCat under the able leadership of the over-all coordinator Dr. MAdz Valera as well as the PhilCat Chair .

  A week-long tri-media blitz with prominent TB experts will be done. On March 22, a fun run from the Quezon Circle will be led by Fr. Robert Reyes, a cured TB advocate and prominent media personality and will be joined by the Dept. of Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit and PhilCat Chair Dr. Charles Yu. About 1000 participants representing almost 100 organizations will converge on Quezon Institute, named after the first Phil.president who died of PTB. A memorandum of agreement will be signed by high-ranking cabinet officials and government agencies as well as PhilCat to work toward a unified TB strategy with DOTS as its focus. Phil. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to attend and make major announcements, a national TB summit will be announced and conducted in August. High officials of WHO-WPRO led by Dr. Omi are expected to attend. A seminar workshop on TB in children will done the following day spearheaded by famed pediatrician Dr. Fe Del Mundo. Simultaneous events are planned in about 30 sites throughout the archipelago featuring seminars, marches, motorcades and other events (contact: choly@eudoramail.com).
  
  - World TB Day events in the Philippines, March 22:
  We are all equally excited as to the celebration of World TB Day. We feel that children are one of the most, if not the only group of individuals who are neglected in the formulation or implementation of public health policies in the fight against TB. This is a medical catastrophe because untreated [or inadequately treated] tuberculosis children eventually grow up to be tuberculosis adults, not to mention that progressive type of pulmonary TB during infancy can lead higher morbidity [dissemination to other organ system] and mortality. Certainly, primary tuberculosis in children should not be taken lightly. We have reported, in one of our conferences, an infant with cavity lesion as verified in autopsy to prove that point.

  And to prove our point that TB in children should be given equal emphasis as in adult, we intend to do the following on March 22 [being Friday, a working day for us] to celebrate World TB Day:

  • show a continuous video on childhood TB in our hospital;
  • pass out leaflets containing information on recognition of childhood and adult TB;
  • provide free medicines for truly indigent pediatric patients;
  • provide free medical consultations pertaining to childhood tuberculosis;
  • T-shirts with the theme Stop TB, Stop Poverty will be worn by several medical staff and in-patients as well. A streamer informing the public of the celebration bearing the same theme will be put in front of the hospital.

  Admittedly, these are miniscule activities. Hopefully, we can build more momentum in our continuous struggle to fight - and eradicate TB among Filipino children (contact: dr.cabs@pacific.net.ph).

• Romania
  - World TB Day activities organized by the National Institute of Pneumology, Romania [pdf file] (contact: stoicescup@yahoo.com).

• Russia
  - World TB Day activities in Russia, March 22-24:
  Below please find a list of activities on the World TB Day we WHO and other international organization plan to hold in Russia:

  1. Today there was a briefing with journalists with participation of WHO, Ministry of Health of Russia, leading TB institutes, international organizations. One of the topics suggested is the coverage of the World TB Day in Russia. At the round-table discussion a competition for journalists for the best publication about TB was announced. The meeting was interactive. There were questions from all over Russia;
  2. Press conference with participation of Russian officials, leading TB institutes, international organizations will be called on 22 of March;
  3. Competition for art school students (13 - 17 years old) for the best TB poster. More than 11 regions are participating. At the press conference on March 22 there will be an exhibition of the best posters and the winner will be announced;
  4. Leaflets announcing the World TB day and giving information about TB was specially designed and printed for the day. On the 22nd of March students of medical institutions will distribute the leaflets in Moscow.
  The leaflets will also be distributed in clinics and TB dispensaries in Moscow and the regions;
  5. Concert for young people under the slogan of the World TB Day will be hold on 22 of March. Between the bands playing their music a DJ will play anti-TB jingles, leaflets, T-shirts, caps with symbols of TB day specially designed and made will be distributed;
  6. Conference of young researchers as a follow up on the competition for the best research paper on TB will be held on the basis of the Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy with support of WHO;
  7. A 25-minute TV programme about TB in Russia, the role of WHO in TB control in Russia will be broadcasted on one of the central TV channels on the 24th of March;
  8. Series of interviews and round-table discussions on the radio will be on air during the next week.

  Also planned: a charity concert of classical music to collect money for the children's department at TB Research Institute; opening of the bacteriological laboratory in one of Moscow prisons (contact: e.pykova@who.org.ru).
  
  - We would like to share with how the International Organization for Migration's Migration Health Services (MHS) will celebrate the World TB Day 2002 in some parts of the world:

  • IOM Moscow is a member of the Interagency Coordinating Committee in Russia for World TB Day and has assisted in discussions and preparation for the local World TB Day including contributing 1,000 USD for activities/press conference scheduled in Moscow (contact: liuri@iom.int).

• Saint Lucia
  - St. Lucia World TB Day Activities, March:
  This year St Lucia has planned a wide range of World TB Day activities, spanning the whole month of March. The Chief Medical Officer will kick off the campaign with an introduction to TB and TB control at the Government Information Service. There will also be talks and workshops on TB with family nurses, student nurses and community nurses during the weeks leading up to March 24^th. On 19 March there will be an interview with the National TB Co-ordinator Dr Alina Jaime and the National Epidemiologist of St Lucia Ms Frederick, marking the beginning of a week of intense activity leading up to World TB Day. Community outreach events include a radio talk show, Facing Reality, broadcast by RSL radio, which will feature the National TB co-ordinator and health educator Ms P Joseph. There will also be a Creole National radio talk show on TB and TB prevention by Dr J Rambally. The week will close with a statement by the Honourable Minister for Health on strategies and planning for the national TB control programme (contact: HEALTH@CANDW.LC).

• Senegal
  - World TB Day events in Senegal, March 19-25 & April 6:
  In Senegal , the National TB Programme central unit is trying to plan some activities with district's staff and some community organizations:
  • Official ceremony in the district of western Dakar on March 25 instead of the 24th because the coincidence of the religious feast of the Muslim new year;
  • Workshop on the national five year plan 2002-2006 : 19/03/2002;
  • Training of the commentary radio journalists ( 31 persons): 22/03/2002;
  • District popular animation with some artists and group music in one of the district of Dakar called "Gueule Tapée": April 6 (contact: moustapha.ndir@sentoo.sn).

• Sierra Leone
  - World TB Day activities in Sierra Leone, March 24:
  The National TB Programme will be organising various events for to mark World TB Day including a talk by the Honourable Minister of Health and Sanitation and by the World Health Organisation Country Representative on the 24th March, which will be broadcast on radio and television (contact: glrasl@sierratel.sl).

  Other planned activitites include:

  • National Radio and TB panel discussions on TB
  • Phone-in sensitization programme
  • Seminar for 200 displaced persons in displaced/refugee camps
  • Production of banners and posters
  • Display of banners and posters in all Districts

• Slovakia
  - World TB Day events in Slovakia, March 20:
  On Wednesday 20 March the Slovakian national TB programme will hold a press conference in the National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases for World TB day, providing information for journalists about the epidemiological situation in Slovakia and TB in children in the country. Ministry of Health, the WHO Slovakian liason officer, and many participants from newspapers, journals, media, and TV are expected to attend. There are also activities planned in the High Tatras region, where there are several TB hospitals (contact: rajecova@nutarch.sk).

• South Africa
  - Report on World TB Day activities in South Africa (word doc. or pdf file) - (contact: KoenaM@health.gov.za).
  
  - TB Research Seminar, The Western Cape Scientific TB Alliance, Cape Town, March 22:
  The Western Cape Scientific TB Alliance is an attempt to provide a forum for TB researchers in the Western Cape to share and to facilitate working together especially on big projects [word doc. or pdf doc.] (contact: NAC@sun.ac.za).

• Spain
  - World TB Day in Barcelona, Spain, March 20:
  Sessió dia 20 de març de 2002,/ Sesión día 20 marzo de 2002, a las 13 horas.
  
  Moderador:
  Dr. Joan Ruiz Manzano. Servicio de Neumologia. Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol. Badalona.
  • Enfermedades transmisibles y poblaciones vulnerables. Dr. Martí Vall. Unitat d’Infeccions de transmissió sexual. Servei d’Atenció Primària de Ciutat Vella. Institut Català de la Salut. Barcelona.
  • Evolución de la tuberculosis en Barcelona (1987-2001). Perspectivas futuras. Dr. Joan A. Caylà. Servei d’Epidemiologia. Institut Municipal de Salut Pública de Barcelona.
  • El control de la tuberculosis a escala mundial. Dr. Marcos Espinal. Programa de Tuberculosis. Organización Mundial de la Salud, Ginebra. Suiza.
    (contact: jcayla@imsb.bcn.es)

• Sudan
  - World TB Day celebration organized by the National TB Programme, Sudan, March 18-25:
  For more information - agenda (word doc. or pdf file) (contact: aelsony@hotmail.com).
  
  - The Institute of Endemic Diseases , University of Khartoum, Sudan is managing to do some visits to different areas , in which TB is quite pronounced .In such areas we are planning to initiate an open debates about some points e.g. Dots , BCG vaccine , nutrition , etc. Inside our institute a time table of lectures is now announced. Speakers of different specialties are invited to present work papers about the diagnostic tools and the improvement of the case detection policy, with a special session about the Tuberculosis lymphadenitis and other extra-pulmonary TB. This is beside attending and contributing the TB celebration organized by the NTBP (contact: alfatihaljafari@hotmail.com).

• Sweden
  - World TB Day in Sweden, March 24:
  Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control and the Swedish Heart- and Lung Foundation are sending a Press Release to attend Swedish media on the TB-day .

  At the TB-day there is a public seminar arranged in Uppsala by the Heart- and Lung Foundation together with prof. Gunnar Boman, dept of Medical Sciences Respiratory Medicine and Allerology, Uppsala University, Akademiska hospital and a local Heart and Lung Association. The theme is: TB - a threat for the future (contact: chris.rohlen@hjart-lungfonden.se).

• Switzerland
  - The Münchenwiler Symposium is the annual meeting organized by the Swiss Lung Association on tuberculosis and is aimed at informing chest physicians and infectiologists about the current problems. This year, this will be taking place on 24 March, on World TB Day. We usually gather 50 to 80 specialists. Last year, our meeting was held together with the annual meeting of the Tuberculosis Surveillance and Research Unit (TSRU).

  This year, together with the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, we will present the new Guidelines on Management of TB in Switzerland (largely inspired by the European Guidelines) and the system for tuberculosis screening at the border for asylum seekers, now working for 10 years.

  Any interested person is welcome to this meeting. The presentations will be edited together as a summary, to be circulated on request (contact: Jean-Pierre.Zellweger@hospvd.ch).

  - World TB Day Children's Competition, Medair, Switzerland, March 24
  We are holding a competition for children aged between 4-12 years old and we are asking them to design a Get Well Card for children in Afghanistan receiving treatment for TB with Medair. We have 750 chf worth of childrens' books (in English) for the winners and also box sets of Caran D'Ache crayons. All the cards will be sent to the childrens ward at Maiwand Hospital, where Medair is running a TB programme.
  Our web-site is: www.medair.org or you can contact Ms Rosi Lewis, Communication & Fundraising, Medair on: 41 21 694 3535.

• Tanzania
  - World TB Day preparation in Tanzania, March 18-24
  Background: In Tanzania, World TB day (WTB) was commemorated nationally in Dar es Salaam and was organised and implemented by the Central TB/leprosy Unit of the Ministry of Health. However, since 1998, these activities have been decentralised to the regional (provincial) level and the central unit only facilitates and provides technical support based on WHO theme and documents for that year. It is the responsibility of the region under the leadership of the Regional Health Management Team (RHMT) to identify and implement specific activities including:
  
  • Organising local events such as street theatre, local drama
  • Identifying local leadership to be involved
  • Identifying potential community groupings to be sensitised

  At the national level our efforts are directed at:

  • Identifying and inviting national leadership to participate at the climax
  • Organise national TV and Radio coverage and print media
  • Develop, print and distribute IEC materials to the regions.
  • Mobilise funds and other resources necessary to support regions in addition to what they are able to raise locally.

  World TB day this year will be commemorated in Hai District, Kilimanjaro region. Hai district was selected because it is the site for Kibong’oto TB Hospital, the only hospital in the country dedicated to treatment of TB for last 50 years.

  The launching of World TB day was on 18^th March, 2002 by the Regional Commissioner. We adopted and translated the Global theme "Stop TB - Fight poverty" in Kiswahili, the national language and the same has been printed on street banners and posters.

  In line with the theme, this year emphasis is on linking TB with poverty. In the inaugural speech to be read by the Dr. Hussein A. Mwinyi (MP), the Deputy Minister of Health on 24^th March, 2002, we have linked economic loss of the individual and nation with falling sick from TB. Through local drama and dances to be held at community level in Hai district, emphasis will be on income loss to the individual and family if one gets TB. On a broader base, we have produced a number of materials including T-Shirts with caps, stickers, leaflets and posters all bearing the same messages and have been distributed throughout the country.

  At national level a TV short drama and radio jingles prepared by the Department of Fine and Performing Arts of the University of Dar es Salaam on symptoms and signs of TB will be broadcasted from 18-24^th March, 2002. We also have plans to sensitise members of parliament when it resumes in April, 2002.

  The Guest of Honour this year will be the Deputy Minister of Health who will officiate the event by addressing mass procession at Kibong’oto Hospital. Media coverage has been invited (contact: tantci@intafrica.com).

  - World TB Day, Care of the Needy, Tanzania:
  The Organisation has planned to network with other Organisation working for TB and HIV to celebrate the Day
  Outline:
  1. Workshop, to be arranged prior the day
  2. Community gathering and awareness
  3. Rural awareness campaign.
  
  We shall send the report and some photos after the event (contact: cotntz@excite.com).

• Togo
  - World TB Day event report from Togo (contact: vasetogo@hotmail.com).

• Tonga
  - World TB Day in Tonga:
  This proposal will highlight the various promotion activities planned to be implemented before and during the commemoration day of TB in Tonga. These activities are planned in a one week duration to develop awareness amongst Tongans of the World TB Day and its Theme, the importance of living in Free TB, and its role in the prevention and control of TB in Tonga.

  General Objective:
  To inform and create awareness amongst Tongans of the importance of prevention and control of Tuberculosis. The Tongan TB programme aims to inform and create awareness amongst public on the situation of Tuberculosis in Tonga; to discuss and inform the public of the modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and the treatment of Tuberculosis; to promote messages related to the Prevention and Control of TB in Tonga including DOTS Strategy and to support the promotion of the Theme of the Day (contact: mogtonga@kalianet.to).

  Activities:

  1. Radio Health Programs:

  There are 2 special Programs to be aired on Radio Tonga as an opening and closing Programs of the week plus some other radio programs including radio spots. At the meantime the normal radio health program during the week will also highlight the message related to Tuberculosis.

  2. Television Programs:

  There are 2 television stations in Tonga, therefore these proposal activities will use both stations as a mean of attaining more target population. During the week a 15 minutes program at both TV stations will be produced to highlight the Theme of the day. Thus 2 special programs on both stations to mark the opening and closing of the week will be included.

  3. Leaflet: Leaflets on Tuberculosis will also be produced and distributed during the week.

       4. Display of Banners:

  Four (4) banners will be produced with Theme of the Day and be placed in areas in Nuku`alofa plus Vaiola Hospital.

      5. Staff: The Health Education staff and Communicable Disease Control staff will be responsible for the arrangement of the above-mentioned activities for promotion of the TB Day.

• UK

- World TB Day Events in London, March 24:
London is among the Western European cities worst affected by TB, owing to its high burden of homelessness and insecure housing, and a large international migrant community. There are high levels of poverty in the UK capital fuelling its TB problem. Therefore this year’s World TB Day event, a speaker meeting and press conference on the theme of "Stop TB, fight poverty", the theme of World TB Day this year, will have plenty of local evidence to draw on. The meeting will be at St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.

Speakers include former Secretary of State for Health, Frank Dobson, and TB pioneer Sir John Crofton. The aim of the event is to raise awareness among journalists of the problems of TB among the poor, especially the homeless, in London, and to introduce journalists to health care providers such as TB and infectious diseases nurses working in the city’s hospitals so that they can share their experience of working with TB patients on a day to day basis. The London based NGO TB Alert, which works in countries outside the UK such as Nepal and South Africa, is organising the event with the assistance of the King’s Fund (contact: tbalert@somhealy.demon.co.uk).

- "From Urban Penalty to Global Emergency: Current Issues in the History of Tuberculosis", Sheffield Hallam University, March 23-25, UK

• USA
  - March 18
  * When HIV and TB Collide - A World TB Day Event, Florida International University's North campus.
  
  - March 19-20
  * The National Coalition for the Elimination of Tuberculosis (NCET) will meet in New Jersey.
  
  - March 21
  * NCET will host a press conference and release a white paper, "Tuberculosis Elimination--the Federal Funding Gap".
  * The New Jersey Medical School National Tuberculosis Center will hold an opening ceremony at its new location in the New Jersey Medical School International Center for Public Health building.
  
   - March 22
  * Dr Kenneth Castro, Centers for Diseases Control & Prevention (CDC), will be the guest speaker at Grand Rounds for the New Jersey Medical School.
  *A Notice to Readers about World TB Day and several TB-related articles will appear in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
  
  - March 25
  *The Global TB Colloquium, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
  The Global TB Colloquium, an event in honor of World TB Day on Monday, March 25, 2002 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The objective of the conference are to raise the profile of tuberculosis in the community, reflect the importance global health organizations attach to TB control, and provide a one-morning update on critical tuberculosis issues. This event is brought to you by the GW Center for International Health, USAID, PAHO, The World Bank, and The Sequella Foundation. Again, the event is the morning of Monday, March 25, 2002 and will be held at the George Washington University in Washington DC. It is free and open to the public. Please see the attached flyer for more information (flyer: word doc. or pdf file/agenda: word doc. or pdf file) (contact: iphsls@gwumc.edu).
  
  - March 28
  * World TB Day will be observed at CDC in Atlanta with a program in Building 8 at Corporate Square. Dr Lee Reichman will be the guest speaker.

Back to Home Page - WTBD '02 main page - Top of Page