The world health organization (WHO) celebrates World Tuberculosis Day on 24 March every year to raise awareness about the worldwide outbreak of disease and efforts to eradicate the disease. TB is the most deadly infectious disease. TB is one of the most contagious diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is estimated that every day at least 4,000 people lose their lives due to TB.

What causes Tuberculosis

It is communicable through the air— when a TB infected person coughs, sneezes, smiles, it spreads to others. It is not easy, however, to become infected with tuberculosis, a person has to be close to someone with a TB disease for a long time. Family members, close friends, and people who work or live together are at a high rate of getting TB infection.

Importance of Tuberculosis Day

World Tuberculosis Day commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). He discovered the cause of tuberculosis and the cure of the disease. The International Union against tuberculosis and lung disease (IUATLD) proposed 24 March as official World TB day in 1982 while celebrating the hundredth anniversary of Robert Koch’s presentation.

 World tuberculosis theme 2020: Find. Treat. All #EndTB

The theme for World TB day 2020 is “it’s time” which emphasizes to take action on commitments

• scale up access to prevention and treatment;
•   build accountability;
•   ensure sufficient and sustainable financing including for research;
•   promote an end to stigma and discrimination, and
•   promote an equitable, rights-based and people-centered TB response.

So on this World Tuberculosis Day, It’s time for action! It’s time to End TB by joining the Global Fund and WHO joint initiative “find. Treat. All #EndTB to ensure no one is left behind. 

INFORMATION SOURCE: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2020/03/24/default-calendar/world-tuberculosis-day-2020