21 Mar 2009
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a threat to Hong Kong and is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world and thus continuous collaborative efforts are essential in the fight against TB.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of World TB Day today (March 21), the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Ms Sandra Lee, said the World Health Organisation's designation of March 24 as World TB Day was to raise public awareness of the importance of timely diagnosis and effective treatment for TB patients to prevent the spread of the disease.
Even though annually reported new cases of TB in Hong Kong have stayed at around 6,000 with a stable downward trend in recent years, the community should still be vigilant against tuberculosis, Ms Lee said.
She said the Government would continue to work with the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association to fight against TB and provide updated TB information and treatment to the public.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Health, Dr P Y Lam, said, "Hong Kong has been adopting Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) as recommended by the WHO for TB patients since 1970s. DOT has been proven to be an effective way to cure TB patients with remarkable results."
Under DOT, TB patients take medication regularly and complete the course of drug therapy under the guidance of healthcare professionals to minimise the possibility of drug-resistant TB.
Dr Lam said, "People are encouraged to build up their resistance by adopting a healthy lifestyle and getting adequate rest and exercise. They should also adhere to a balanced diet and avoid smoking and drinking."
Today's ceremony was organised by the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority.
A series of promotions, exhibitions, and educational activities will be held to spread the anti-TB message.
The public can call the Department of Health's TB hotline at 2572 6024 for more TB-related information, or visit the website (
www.info.gov.hk/tb_chest
) jointly developed by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority, or the WHO website (
www.who.int/gtb
).