On the World Tuberculosis Day, March 24, 2014, the Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA) for the necessity to update the declaration methods and identify the necessary legislations to help detect and treat all cases.
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria and is a very contagious disease caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis that highly affects the lungs. Tuberculosis is transmitted from one person to another through the saliva, liquids, and lungs of the people who are suffering from the disease.
According to the statistics of the 2013 World Tuberculosis Report, detection, on average, does not exceed 63% in the MENA region. Therefore, MENAHRA calls all countries of the region to promote anti-Tuberculosis programs, provide the appropriate methods to help detect new cases and provide care opportunities.
Investments must be made towards research in order to reach and provide the appropriate medicines and vaccines as to speed up treatment of identified cases.
MENHARA considers that the person with Tuberculosis is life threatening if not treated. During the last two decades, Tuberculosis surfaced again all over the world and especially among people who use drugs, as well as infections associated with Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and drug resistant Tuberculosis.
Many patients in developing countries are still failing to adhere to the entire six months diet. These non-adherence to treatment among infected individuals contributed to the worldwide proliferation of drug resistant Tuberculosis forms, which are harder to treat, and form a dangerous threat on the public health in the long run.
The increase in Tuberculosis prevalence is estimated between to be 20-37 times higher among people living with HIV.
This day is an opportunity to promote public awareness regarding Tuberculosis that is highly spreading in the region, especially with the existing political conflicts and the resulting displacements. Therefore, it is necessary to raise take the urgent actions that help raise awareness and provide the proper treatment.
