March 24, 2001
Tuberculosis (TB) is still an important public health problem in the world including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and over 7 000 TB cases are reported here annually, the Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan said today (March 24).
Dr Chan was addressing the Ceremony of the "World TB Day" at Discovery Park Shopping Centre, Tsuen Wan.
Dr Chan said: "Hong Kong is classified under 'places with intermediate TB burden with good health infrastructure' by World Health Organisation (WHO) in the Western Pacific Region."
"We have to continue to be alerted, and not to loosen our anti-TB work."
"Our TB workers, including the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association, the Hospital Authority, the Department of Heath (DH) and personnel of other related organisations, are providing various types of high quality anti-TB services. These include preventive measures, out-patient and in-patient medical care services, and health education services."
The WHO also gives the same classification to Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and MacaoSAR.
The WHO and the International Union Against Tuberculosis And Lung Diseases (IUATLD) have declared March 24 as the World TB Day.
The WHO theme for 2001 is "DOTS: TB cure for all".
Dr Chan said: "DOTS (directly observed treatment, short course) is strongly recommended by the WHO as an important TB control strategy. It has already been adopted in chest clinics in Hong Kong and has remained the most effective way to treat TB."
DOT (directly observed treatment) has been adopted in these clinics since 1970s.
Under DOT, health workers supervise their patients while they take their medicines. This ensures that the right medicines are always taken at the right time.
Dr Chan said that members of the public could prevent TB by following a healthy lifestyle. "The most important thing is to maintain a good body defence, have adequate rest and exercises, breathing more fresh air and have a balanced diet."
"Parents should make sure that their children have received vaccination for the protection against TB," Dr Chan said.
Persons who develop symptoms of the disease such as having blood in sputum, coughing for more than three weeks, suffering from weight loss, prolonged fever and sweating at night, should seek medical advice as soon as possible or visit one of DH's 18 chest clinics.
For enquiries, please dial DH's Tuberculosis and Chest Service Hotline 2572 6024.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association, the Hospital Authority and DH, the "World TB Day" activities included an exhibition and a drama competition.
There were 7 578 TB cases reported in 2000, compared with 7 512 and 7 673 cases reported in 1999 and 1998 respectively.