Tuberculosis is a contagious disease spread through air from one person to another.
TB is also curable and can be diagnosed early, this was the message from Public Health deputy secretary, Dr Joe Koroivueta.
He said they were now on the road to stop and eliminate TB.
“TB is easily spread and it can kill but we can control the disease using basic sanitation and hygiene practices. TB is also the most common opportunistic infection and frequent cause of death in people living with HIV,” Dr Koroivueta said.
The National TB Programme (NTP) manager Dr Iobi Batio said one third of people were infected with TB globally.
“We are trying to identify and improve TB practice, diagnosis and find out effective vaccination to control worldwide. In 2009, Fiji had 150 cases whereas in 2010 there were 191 cases,” Dr Batio said.
He said most cases were in the Central Division along the Suva-Nausori corridor and the slight increase in cases was due TB programme only starting last year and more people coming to seek diagnosis upon awareness.
Dr Batio said TB awareness was not only the responsibility of health workers but everyone needs to be aware and advocate about it.
Civil Society organisation such as Fiji Red Cross Society is working with NTP targeting hot spot areas.
Health & Care Coordinator for FRCS, Marica Kepa said their major role was advocacy communication and social mobilisation (ACSM) at all levels.
“We advocate with commissioners and provincial offices and train community leaders such as Turaga ni Koro, Mata ni Tikina and Rokos from all provinces as well as train our Red Cross volunteers to raise community awareness,” Ms Kepa said.
Through the mobilsation activity about 2200 people have been reached out from all divisions.
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