World Tuberculosis(TB) Day is annually observed across the globe on 24th March to create awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and highlight the health, social and economic consequences of TB.
World TB Day is one of the 13 official global public health campaigns(10 days and 2 weeks and 1 year) marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The theme of World TB Day 2022 is “Invest to End TB. Save Lives”.
Under this theme, WHO calls for increased investments into TB services and research.
Why March 24?
The date (March 24) marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch, a German physician and microbiologist, announced to the Berlin Physiological Society that he had discovered the bacterium, Tubercle Bacillus, that causes tuberculosis (TB).
Note:
i.Robert Koch was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1905 for his investigations and discoveries in relation to tuberculosis.
ii.The term ‘tuberculosis’ was coined by Johann Schonlein in 1834.
Background:
i.In 1982, on the 100th anniversary of Dr Robert Koch’s announcement of the discovery of TB Bacillus, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease(IUATLD) proposed to proclaim the 24th March as World TB Day
ii.In 1996, WHO joined the IUATLD to increase the impacts of this day and commemorate World TB Day worldwide.
Himachal Pradesh secured top rank in National TB Elimination Programme
i.According to the report issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW), Himachal Pradesh has secured the top rank, for the 2nd consecutive year, in the National Tuberculosis(TB) Elimination Programme among the states having a population of more than 50 lakh.
ii.Dr Gopal Beri, Tuberculosis Officer of Himachal Pradesh received the award from Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
iii.In the sub-national TB free certification for 2021-22 8 districts of Himachal Pradesh have received silver medals, while 3 districts have received bronze medals.
About Tuberculosis (TB):
i.Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria- Mycobacterium tuberculosis and often affects the lungs.
ii.TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit.
Key Points:
i.Annually around 10 million people across the globe are affected by tuberculosis (TB).
ii.Even though TB is a preventable and curable disease, around 1.5 million people die from TB each year, making TB the World’s top infectious killer.
iii.TB mostly affects adults in their most productive years.
iv.Over 95% of TB cases and deaths are in developing countries.
v.In 2020, 8 countries accounted for two-thirds of the new TB cases: India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa.
Annual investment of USD 3 billion is needed to avert 45 lakh new TB cases in South-East Asia
i.On the occasion of World TB Day 2022, WHO highlighted the need for national, international and global stakeholders to invest at least USD 3 billion annually in the South-East Asia region to avert nearly 45 lakh new TB cases and prevent more than 15 lakh deaths due to the disease by 2025.
ii.For the first time in over 10 years, the deaths due to TB have increased globally in 2020.
iii.The Southeast Asia region accounted for around 10%(7 lakh) of death.
