In a joint effort to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB), the treatment options available, and mitigating the effects of some of its misconceptions, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) have joined hands to reach out to the general public through media engagements and public awareness campaigns and activities.
“World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is marked on March 24. World TB Day is one of the most important events on our calendar at HMC. The theme of this year was “Find, Treat, Cure TB”. To mark the day, public awareness activities were held at several locations in Qatar, in collaboration with SCH and PHCC,” said Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, National TB programme manager.
TB treatment is free of charge in Qatar. Patients can normally return to work within two-four weeks of initiating the treatment.
“Our goal is to focus on the largest expatriate communities in Qatar. These communities include Indian, Nepali, Filipino and Bangladeshi. It is critical to call on everyone to come out and get educated. Education about treatment and prevention measures remains a top priority in the fight against tuberculosis - one of the world’s top infectious killers,” added Dr al-Khal.
In collaboration with the SCH and PHCC, HMC held a three-day event at the West End Park in the Industrial Area. Information leaflets in different languages such as English, Arabic, Tagalog, Hindi and Nepali were distributed to participants at the event. Similar activities were held in several Asian schools and in some polyclinics.
In addition, free medical check-ups were offered to visitors at the West End Park event and those who presented with signs and symptoms of TB were referred to the TB clinic at the Infectious Diseases Unit for evaluation and possible treatment.
TB is caused by bacteria that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. The vast majority of TB cases can be cured when medicines are provided and taken properly.
TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or expel saliva, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.
HMC officials inaugurate a World TB Day event.
