Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz AL Rabeeah, confirmed that the Ministry of Health, based on our Leadership Directions, provides free diagnosis, treatment, follow up programs and all needed related health services for tuberculosis (TB) patients , in addition of high coverage rates of (BCG) vaccines.
He stated in a press conference, on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day and which logo is (On the move against Tuberculosis- Transforming the fight towards elimination), that such disease is considered a great challenge for health services providers especially in Eastern Mediterranean Countries.
He Added that World Health Organization announced in 1993 that TB became a health emergency due to the increased numbers of incidence rates in some countries which were about to control the disease. The number of cases of tuberculosis has increased dramatically because of the increase in drug-resistant strains of the bacterium and the spread of HIV.
He clarified that a total of 5.900.000 new TB cases occur in 2009, equal to about 1.700.000 deaths a year. He also added that our Government is dedicated to eliminate TB through lunching the National Program for TB Control, which aims to eliminate the disease and prevent resulted social and economic burdens by early diagnoses, treatment and preventative measures.
Dr. Al Rabeeah concluded by encouraging all concerned sectors and members to support such noble case, especially all means of media due to their great impact in up raising citizens and residents' awareness through publicizing methods of prevention and the need of adopting a healthy lifestyle. He asked Allah to reward all patients with the blessing of good health and protect our leadership and country.