​249 cases of Tuberculosis, TB was recorded in Brunei Darussalam for 2018 compared to 311 cases in 2000. According to the Minister of Health, even though there is a decline in the overall number of TB cases in the country, but the rate of decline is slow in the past few years. Among the contributors to this slowing down is the increasing number of patients with non-communicable diseases whereby TB can easily be activated among such patients due to a weak immune system. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, stressed the matter in a message in conjunction with World TB Day 2019 observed every 24th of March globally. This year's theme is 'It's Time'.

According to Yang Berhormat, the World Health Organisation, WHO statistics reported TB has caused some 1.5 million deaths annually and most of it occurs in developing countries. Following this, in further enhancing the response of countries in achieving the TB stop target, the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, UNGA held the first High Level Meeting on Tuberculosis, TB in 2018. The Minister of Health explained, Brunei Darussalam has stated its full support of the global efforts to implement the World Health Organisation's End Tuberculosis Strategy as well as the Political Declaration on the Fight Against Tuberculosis. In fulfilling the declaration, the Ministry of Health will continue efforts to stop TB infection by 2030 to make the country a low burden TB prevalent nation.

The Minister of Health also stated that Brunei Darussalam is fortunate as the rate of cases on Multi-drug resistant TB dan extensively drug-resistant TB as well as cases of TB amongst HIV patients is at a very low level. However, the Ministry of Health will continue to be proactive in ensuring these challenges are always controlled, focusing on TB control strategies as well as actions on three matters, namely:

- Raising the awareness of all parties including health professionals and the public on TB;

- Strengthening of TB Screening Programme with specific target groups; and

- Treatment and monitoring of TB patients, including preventing the emergence of multi-drug resistant TB.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect

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