Prevention Takes Centre Stage At World TB Day
World TB Day 2010, was launched at Parliament House on 17 March, and is an opportunity for health professionals, governments and individuals to refocus on the fight against the global epidemic of TB. World TB Day on 24 March marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch detected the cause of TB.
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Joint Release
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister For Health And Ageing
The Hon Bob McMullan MP
Parliamentary Secretary For International Development Assistance
17 March 2010World TB Day 2010, was today launched at Parliament House, and is an opportunity for health professionals, governments and individuals to refocus on the fight against the global epidemic of TB.
The annual event of World TB Day on 24 March marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch detected the cause of TB – the first step in diagnosing and curing the disease.
TB is a global health issue that demands a global response.
One-third of the world’s population is infected with TB and in 2008 around 9.5 million new cases were reported. About 5,000 people die each and every day because of TB.
The emergence of new, drug resistant strains of tuberculosis TB is a serious health challenge for countries in the Pacific region, including Australia.
Australia has one of the lowest rates of TB infection in the world thanks to effective pre-migration screening, early detection and treatment measures and access to anti-TB drugs.
However the spread of drug resistant strains of the disease across countries in our region is cause for concern. Five of our closest neighbours – Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Kiribati, Samoa and Indonesia – are all facing major public health challenges with the spread of the new strains of TB.
Australia is taking the fight to TB in countries across the region, using aid programs and innovative new measures to support elimination of the disease on our doorstep.
In Indonesia, which is ranked third in the world for its overall TB burden, more than half-a-million new cases are reported each year. TB is one of the leading causes of death among adults in Indonesia with nearly 90,000 deaths each year.
In support of the Indonesian public health efforts against TB, the Australian Government is cancelling up to $75 million worth of debt owed to Australia by Indonesia. Under this innovative debt-to-health swap deal, Indonesia will in return invest $37.5 million through the World Health Organization’s Global Fund for TB programs.
The Commonwealth continues to work with Queensland Government and PNG Governments to address cross border health issues, including support to develop TB laboratory services in PNG as well as support and mentoring for clinical workers treating TB
TB is curable, and is also preventable, when it is recognised and effectively treated.
For all media inquiries, please contact
Minister Roxon’s Office on 02 6277 7220
or Mr McMullan’s office on 0421697660
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