World TB Day 2002 - In the News

Africa News Service, Inc.
Headline: PanAfrica: World Tuberculosis Day
Date: March 22, 2002 Friday

Working with WHO and other partners in the Stop TB initiative, IOM's Migration Health Services (MHS) is celebrating World TB Day 2002 in several parts of the world with awareness raising activities to promote Direct Observed Therapy (DOT) expansion.

This year's theme, "Stop TB - Fight Poverty" suggests that tackling TB will help achieve greater global prosperity. Promoting DOT remains a top priority for IOM in a world where only 1 in 4 TB cases receives DOT treatment.

Tuberculosis primarily affects the poor and underprivileged. Transmission of the disease, by airborne bacteria in the cough of an infected person, is promoted in conditions of overcrowding and poor hygiene.

Globally, it is estimated that two billion people harbour latent tuberculosis infection. There are between seven and eight million new cases of active tuberculosis diagnosed each year. Tuberculosis is the second leading cause of death from infectious diseases, accounting for some 5% of all deaths worldwide; despite the fact that an inexpensive and effective cure has been available for over 40 years.

The DOT treatment costs as little as US$30, but it frequently used incorrectly, resulting in treatment failure. The only way to effectively treat tuberculosis is with a combination of three or four drugs given simultaneously, without interruption, for the course of the treatment, usually six months.

The Direct Observed Therapy or DOT requires that someone, preferably a health professional, accepts the responsibility of ensuring that the patient takes the required drugs under direct observation, at the required dose, for the duration of the treatment. The "DOT monitor" documents the drug treatment, checks the patient for possible side effects, and informs the responsible physician. During the course of DOT, the treating physician will periodically examine the patient to ensure that all is well and that the patient is responding to the treatment.

In Cambodia, IOM supports the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Centre awareness raising activities. IOM is organising health information sessions for families of patients currently undergoing DOT treatment. IOM Phnom Penh also provides free anti-tuberculosis DOT treatment to migrants or visa applicants diagnosed with TB during their migration health assessment. For further information, please contact Dr Jaime Calderon or Ms Kristin Parco at iommed@bigpond.com.kh or iomphompe@iom.int +855 23 21 65 32 or 41 32.

In Kenya, where IOM also provides DOT treatment to migrant or visa applicants, IOM is participating in medical camps organised by the National TB and Leprosy Programmes. Activities include health education, consultations, laboratory work, dispensing and referral of patients.

On 24 March, IOM medical staff will take in awareness raising activities in Eastleigh, a poor neighbourhood with a very large number of migrant workers and refugees from neighbouring countries where IOM has a permanent DOT clinic. For further information, please contact Dr. Davide Mosca or Dr. Burton Wagacha at dmosca@iom.int +254 2 444167 or 449335.

In Moscow, where IOM is part of the Interagency Coordinating Committee for World TB Day, a press conference on the theme "Stop TB. Fight Poverty" will be organized. As part of ongoing efforts to raise TB awareness, an exhibition of children's posters will also take place. For further information, please contact Dr Tom O'Rourke at torourke@iom.int.

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