World Tuberculosis Day is annually observed across the globe on 24th March to create awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and the efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
World TB Day 2023 is observed on 24th March 2023 under the theme “Yes! We Can End TB!”.
Background:
i.In 1982, on the one-hundredth anniversary of Dr Koch’s presentation, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) proposed that 24 March be proclaimed an official World TB Day.
- The first-ever World TB Day was observed in 1983.
ii.In 1996, WHO joined the IUATLD to increase the impacts of this day and commemorate World TB Day worldwide.
Significance of March 24:
On 24th March 1882 German physician and microbiologist Dr. Robert Koch announced that he discovered the bacterium – “Tubercle Bacillus” which causes Tuberculosis(TB) to the Berlin Physiological Society.
- The tubercle bacillus discovered by Robert Koch in 1882 was termed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1886.
- It is also known as Koch’s bacillus.
World TB Day 2023:
The World TB Day 2023 aims to inspire people across the globe and encourage the global leaders, increase investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multisectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic.
Who Director-General Flagship Initiative To #ENDTB:
On the occasion on World TB Day 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the expanded scope of the WHO Director-General’s (DG) Flagship Initiative on tuberculosis over the period from 2023 to 2027 to support fast-tracking progress towards ending TB and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
Key Points:
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable.
TB spreads from person to person through air.
TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers. Around 1.6 million people died from TB in 2021 and 10.6 million people fell ill with this preventable and curable disease.
Tuberculosis mostly affects adults in their most productive years.
Over 80% of cases and deaths are in low- and middle-income countries.
Observance in India: “One World TB Summit”
On the occasion of World TB Day 2023(24th March 2023), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) and Stop TB Partnership has organised “One World TB Summit” at Rudrakash Convention Centre, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh(UP).
- Prime Minister(PM) of India, Narendra Modi addressed the Summit and distributed the awards to selected States/Union Territories (UTs) and districts for their progress towards ending TB.
- UP Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath also graced the summit.
Note: Stop TB Partnership, founded in 2001, is a United Nations-hosted organisation that amplifies the voices of the people, communities, and countries affected by TB.
Highlights:
PM Modi launched various initiatives including the TB-Mukt Panchayat initiative; the official pan-India rollout of a shorter TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) and a Family-centric care model for TB.
He also released India’s Annual TB Report 2023
Key Points:
i.Around 80% of TB medicines are manufactured in India. This exhibits the talent and capability of the Indian pharma industry which is working for the Global Good.
ii.In 2018, during the End TB Summit held in New Delhi, Delhi, PM Modi announced that India is set to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) End TB targets by 2025.
- The United Nations SDG 2030 aims to end TB by 2030.
About World Health Organization(WHO):
Director-General– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established in 1948
