U.S. Government Celebrates World Tuberculosis Day

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) organized a series of entertaining, educational events for World Tuberculosis (TB) Day to draw public attention to the TB epidemic in Tajikistan.  From March 24-April 4, events were held in Dushanbe, Vahdat, Khujand, Qurghonteppa, and Kulob in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health, governmental organizations, and non-governmental partners of USAID.

Jeffrey Lehrer, USAID Tajikistan Country Office Director, opened the event in Vahdat noting, “The United States is committed to helping Tajikistan fight the TB epidemic. Everyone needs to know that TB can be cured when patients follow through with their treatment. As a community, we have to support those who need treatment, and make sure they have access to and take their medication. TB is a problem for everyone in Tajikistan, and we can only fight it working together.” 

March 24 was declared World TB Day to build public awareness that TB remains a global epidemic in many parts of the world, resulting in 2 million deaths annually. The spread of TB and drug-resistant TB remains a serious public health threat in Tajikistan. According to statistics provided by the National TB Center in Tajikistan, there were 7,906 TB cases and 6.6 deaths per 100,000 people from TB in 2011. In the World Health Organization European Region, someone dies of TB every nine minutes.

The main goal of these World TB Day activities was to raise awareness about TB, how it is transmitted, symptoms, and treatment. Specific events included contests about TB and HIV as well as theater performances. The best family doctor and nurse at the public health care facility in Vahdat received awards

u.s.gov_celebrates_world_tuberculosis_day_20120404_eng.pdf (99 KB) (PDF)