World Tuberculosis Day

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Today is World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. The National ceremony to mark this day will be held at the New Library Auditorium in Badulla today at 9.00 am with the participation of Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva under the theme ` Let us contribute to eradicate TB in a creative way'.

The number of TB patients who visited TB clinics in Sri Lanka last year (2009) are 9788. The number of TB patients who willingly come forward to obtain treatment from clinics is increasing day by day. This is a very positive trend. TB can be completely cured by taking treatment for a period of six months.

In Sri Lanka there is a TB clinic in every district and relevant medical examinations are carried out in all main state hospitals.

The main problem that exists at the moment is that TB patients drop out from the treatment plan before six months. To overcome this problem TB patients are being monitored in order to make sure that they follow the full treatment plan.

Persistent cough for a long time, night sweating, mild fever, loss of weight are among the symptoms of TB. Relevant medical tests can be done at all main State hospitals and TB clinics set up at district level.

A parade will be held in Badulla today to raise awareness among the public on TB. Many other awareness campaigns too will be held countrywide today to mark the day.