Tuberculosis: One of the Deadliest Infectious Diseases
Tuberculosis, ranked among the top three deadliest infectious diseases, continues to pose a significant threat to public health globally. The year 2021 witnessed a harrowing toll, with at least 1.6 million lives lost to this pervasive disease worldwide, including a devastating count of 2,288 deaths within our own borders. Startling statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that an estimated 10.6 million new cases of tuberculosis are anticipated for this year, with our own country reporting a staggering 21,727 confirmed patients.
In efforts to combat this escalating crisis, Jenny Lahimbang, a distinguished member of the Gambia State Assembly, joined forces with the Lions Club to express their solidarity with blood donors. Together, they shed light on the dire need for increased awareness and prevention methods. Established in 1953, the Sabah Tuberculosis Prevention Association (SABATA) has been at the forefront of various initiatives aimed at stemming the spread of tuberculosis. These include the establishment of nursing homes and shelters for patients, facilitating transportation for medical treatment, aiding patient reintegration into the workforce, conducting informative sessions to disseminate knowledge about tuberculosis, as well as collaboratively engaging in numerous anti-tick activities with the Ministry of Health. However, despite these concerted efforts, the number of cases has surged relentlessly over the past decade, indicating a lack of public awareness surrounding tuberculosis.
The Silent Contagion: Understanding Tuberculosis
During a recent blood donation event and tuberculosis awareness lecture organized by SABATA and the Kam Baiyuan Village Development and Public Safety Committee, Jenny Lahimbang expounded on the nature of tuberculosis. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, this highly infectious airborne disease presents with persistent symptoms such as a prolonged cough lasting over two weeks, fevers, night sweats, reduced appetite, weight loss, and even coughing up blood. Tuberculosis can extend its perilous reach to various parts of the body, including the spinal cord, lymphatic system, blood, bones, and joints, accentuating the urgency for immediate medical intervention. Lahimbang strongly urged individuals experiencing relevant symptoms to promptly seek medical evaluation and preliminary treatment at nearby health clinics or hospitals.
Lahimbang, while addressing the audience, emphasized the pressing need for regular blood donation activities and tuberculosis awareness lectures to bolster public consciousness and encourage the adoption of healthier lifestyles as effective defenses against tuberculosis and various other infectious diseases. By safeguarding our families and fortifying our communities, we can strive to avert the further escalation of this epidemic. Moreover, he implored the Ministry of Health and SABATA to sustain continuous monitoring and screening initiatives within communities to prevent the proliferation of tuberculosis.
Jenny: Listed in the top three deadliest infectious diseases
Practice healthy living and be careful to prevent tuberculosis
Publication date: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
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Jenny, a member of the Gambia State Assembly, together with members of the Lions Club, expressed sympathy with the blood donors.[Kota Kinabalu News ar y 9fed]Tuberculosis, one of the three deadliest infectious diseases, has caused at least 1.6 million deaths worldwide in 2021, including 2,288 deaths in my country. According to WHO data, there will be 10.6 million tuberculosis cases worldwide in 2021, and 21,727 tuberculosis patients have been confirmed in my country. Gambaiwan state assembly Jenny Lahimbang said that in order to end the spread of tuberculosis, the Sabah Tuberculosis Prevention Association (SABATA), which was established in 1953, has continuously carried out a number of activities, including providing nursing homes and shelters for patients, and providing transportation. to Convenience medical treatment, helping patients return to work, disseminating information about tuberculosis, holding health education lectures, and collaborating with the Ministry of Health in various anti-tick activities. He said that despite various efforts, the number of cases has increased from year to year in the last 10 years, showing that public awareness of tuberculosis is still low.
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He said this while chairing a blood donation event and tuberculosis awareness lecture organized by SABATA and the Kam Baiyuan Village Development and Public Safety Committee a few days ago. He said tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that spreads through the air, including a long-term cough lasting more than two weeks, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss and coughing up blood. Tuberculosis also affects the spinal cord (causing meningitis), the lymphatic system, blood, bones and joints and can be fatal if not treated immediately. If people are found to have relevant symptoms, they are encouraged to go to nearby health clinics and hospitals immediately for examination and preliminary treatment. Jenny also expressed at the event that she hopes similar blood donation activities and tuberculosis lectures can be held from time to time to raise public awareness and allow them to adopt a healthy lifestyle to fight tuberculosis and various infectious diseases and avoid the epidemic in our families and outbreaks in communities. He also advised the Ministry of Health and SABATA to continue regular surveillance and screening in the community to ensure that tuberculosis does not spread.
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