20 March 2019 01:14 am
One-third of the global population (two billion people) is alleged to be afflicted with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis — bacteria that causes tuberculosis – and is at risk of contracting the disease. It is learnt that some 10 million people fall ill with the malady each year.
In Sri Lanka, the numbers are alarming as 9,500-10,000 new tuberculosis cases are found every year. The highest numbers are reported from the Colombo and Gampaha Districts.
Meanwhile, relevant authorities suspect that some 4,000 patients have not received treatment as yet, thereby making the infection contagious in households through respiratory droplets. Since tuberculosis is a curable disease, it is our duty to support the objective of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to end TB in 2030. This year’s theme is “IT’S TIME TO KNOW YOUR TB STATUS FOR A TB-FREE SRI LANKA.”
One of the major reasons for this high prevalence is the lack of public awareness and commitment. Against this backdrop, the Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists (COPSL) – respiratory/chest physicians – has organised a walk tomorrow at 8.30 a.m. from the Bandaranayake College Ground in Gampaha. It will be followed by a public awareness programme at the Gampaha General Hospital.
COPSL hereby invites community leaders, well-wishers and the general public to join hands with them to spread the message that tuberculosis could be fully cured in just six months with efficacious treatment.