World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is on 24 March in Year of the Lung (2010)

The World TB Day is just a week ahead of us. This year 2010 is the year of the lung. In the lead up to the World TB Day, CNS is reproducing an exclusive article written in December 2009 (Cancun, Mexico) where 2010 was announced as year of the Lung. Read more



2010 is Year of the Lung

The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) convening at the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cancun, Mexico, declared the year 2010 as the Year of the Lung. This was done to recognize that hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable chronic respiratory diseases. This initiative acknowledges that lung health has long been neglected in public discourses, and understands the need to unify different health advocates behind one purpose of lung health, informed Dr Nils Billo, Chair of FIRS. The FIRS partners include the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), American Thoracic Society (ATS), Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), Asociacion Latinoamericana de Torax (ALAT), European Respiratory Society (ERS), Pan African Thoracic Society and American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

The New York Times carried a series of articles on different parts of human body, but forgot the lungs! It is difficult to remain alive without lungs for more than few seconds!

The Declaration signed by the partners of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) read as following:

[Begin]
WE NOTE WITH GRAVE CONCERN THAT:
Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), asthma, lung cancer, H1N1, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

WE RECOGNIZE THAT:
Despite the magnitude of suffering and death caused by lung disease, lung health has long been neglected in public discourse and in public health decisions.

WE CALL UPON OUR PARTNERS TO:
Enact smoking cessation legislation and programs to reduce the prevalence and stigma of tobacco-related lung diseases.
[Ends]

There are a range of health and environmental factors that affect our lung health. This includes tuberculosis (TB), tobacco smoke, biomass fuel smoke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia among other respiratory infections. The evidence of their potentially devastating effects on global public health is increasing and they require a coordinated approach for control. These diseases all occur in predominantly resource-poor countries. They are perpetuated by poverty and inadequate resources and their control and management require coordinated approach among health programmes at all levels.

Statistically, there is 1 TB-related death that takes place every 18 seconds, 1 HIV death every 16 seconds, 1 child dies of pneumonia every 15 seconds and 1 smoking-related death every 13 seconds. The enormous public challenge posed by the combined epidemics of tobacco smoking, HIV, TB and COPD, is undoubtedly alarming.

More than 2 billion people or a third of the world's total population, are infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is now the world's seventh-leading cause of death. It killed 1.8 million people worldwide last year, up from 1.77 million in 2007. It is one of the three primary diseases that are closely linked to poverty, the other two being AIDS and malaria.

Tobacco smoking is unquestionably the primary risk factor for COPD. More than 5 million deaths are attributed to tobacco use every year. Smokers have two fold higher risk of developing active TB disease. Tobacco smokers have 2 times more risk of dieing of TB. Tobacco smoke increases the risk of pneumonia, influenza, menningococcal meningitis, among others. Evidence is accumulating that smoking is a risk factor for TB. However there is no published data on the cellular interactions of tobacco smoke and mycobacterium tuberculosis. The risk to develop active TB disease is higher when tobacco smoking is combined with alcohol.

Dr Donald Enarson stressed that tobacco smoking cessation is an important part of the comprehensive tobacco control programme, and not the only part. So all components of the comprehensive tobacco control measures should be implemented for improving public health outcomes. Dr Enarson was referring to MPOWER report from Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) of WHO which outlines the MPOWER package, a set of six key tobacco control measures that reflect and build on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC, global tobacco treaty). Another delegates remarked that MPOWER is in line with the global tobacco treaty - FCTC - and we should be demanding implementation of the treaty to which governments have committed to enforce. The WHO FCTC is the first public health and corporate accountability treaty, said a delegate from India. Comprehensive tobacco control programmes can yield major public health outcomes, as 30% of male TB patients die of tobacco smoking.

Asthma is yet another major lung health challenge. It is a chronic disease that affects airways. When people have asthma, the inside walls of their airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that they are allergic to or find irritating. When airways react, they get narrower and lungs get less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night. When asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it's called an asthma attack. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that vital organs do not get enough oxygen. People can die from severe asthma attacks.

More than 300 million people around the world have asthma, and the disease imposes a heavy burden on individuals, families, and societies. The Global Burden of Asthma Report, indicates that asthma control often falls short and there are many barriers to asthma control around the world. Proper long-term management of asthma will permit most patients to achieve good control of their disease. Yet in many regions around the world, this goal is often not met. Poor asthma control is also seen in the lifestyle limitations experienced by some people with asthma. For example, in some regions, up to one in four children with asthma is unable to attend school regularly because of poor asthma control. Asthma deaths are the ultimate, tragic evidence of uncontrolled asthma.

According to the Global Burden of Asthma Report, the majority of asthma deaths in some regions of the world are preventable. Effective asthma treatments exist and, with proper diagnosis, education, and treatment, the great majority of asthma patients can achieve and maintain good control of their disease. When asthma is under control, patients can live full and active lives.

Pneumonia claims two million children under five each year, yet no new drug, vaccine or special diagnostic test is needed to save their lives. The answers are at hand, and effective treatment is both inexpensive and widely available.

Host of other conditions that affect the lungs, are preventable, and often treatable.

Let us hope that 2010 Year of The Lung initiative of FIRS puts the spotlight on the long neglected part of human body which New York Times missed, the lungs.

Published in:
Citizen News Service (CNS), India/Thailand
Thai-Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
Elites TV News, USA
Solunum.org, Turkey
Wikio.com, UK
Media From Freedom, Nepal
Apsresp.org

2010 is Year of the Lungs

The year 2010 was declared as year of the lungs to recognize that hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable chronic respiratory diseases. This initiative acknowledges that lung health has long been neglected in public discourses, and understands the need to unify different health advocates behind one purpose of lung health, informed Dr Nils Billo, Chair of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS). Read more



The FIRS partners include the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), American Thoracic Society (ATS), Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), Asociacion Latinoamericana de Torax (ALAT), European Respiratory Society (ERS), Pan African Thoracic Society and American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

Earlier last year, the New York Times carried a series of articles on different parts of human body, but forgot the lungs! It is difficult to remain alive without lungs for more than few seconds!

The Declaration signed by the partners of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) at the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health last year read as following:
[Begin]
WE NOTE WITH GRAVE CONCERN THAT:
Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), asthma, lung cancer, H1N1, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
WE RECOGNIZE THAT:
Despite the magnitude of suffering and death caused by lung disease, lung health has long been neglected in public discourse and in public health decisions.
WE CALL UPON OUR PARTNERS TO:
Enact smoking cessation legislation and programs to reduce the prevalence and stigma of tobacco-related lung diseases.
[Ends]

There are a range of health and environmental factors that affect our lung health. This includes tuberculosis (TB), tobacco smoke, biomass fuel smoke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia among other respiratory infections. The evidence of their potentially devastating effects on global public health is increasing and they require a coordinated approach for control. These diseases all occur in predominantly resource-poor countries. They are perpetuated by poverty and inadequate resources and their control and management require coordinated approach among health programmes at all levels.

Statistically, there is 1 TB-related death that takes place every 18 seconds, 1 HIV death every 16 seconds, 1 child dies of pneumonia every 15 seconds and 1 smoking-related death every 13 seconds. The enormous public challenge posed by the combined epidemics of tobacco smoking, HIV, TB and COPD, is undoubtedly alarming.

More than 2 billion people or a third of the world's total population, are infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is now the world's seventh-leading cause of death. It killed 1.8 million people worldwide last year, up from 1.77 million in 2007. It is one of the three primary diseases that are closely linked to poverty, the other two being AIDS and malaria.

Tobacco smoking is unquestionably the primary risk factor for COPD. More than 5 million deaths are attributed to tobacco use every year. Smokers have two fold higher risk of developing active TB disease. Tobacco smokers have 2 times more risk of dieing of TB. Tobacco smoke increases the risk of pneumonia, influenza, menningococcal meningitis, among others. Evidence is accumulating that smoking is a risk factor for TB. However there is no published data on the cellular interactions of tobacco smoke and mycobacterium tuberculosis. The risk to develop active TB disease is higher when tobacco smoking is combined with alcohol.

Dr Donald Enarson stressed that tobacco smoking cessation is an important part of the comprehensive tobacco control programme, and not the only part. So all components of the comprehensive tobacco control measures should be implemented for improving public health outcomes. Dr Enarson was referring to MPOWER report from Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) of WHO which outlines the MPOWER package, a set of six key tobacco control measures that reflect and build on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC, global tobacco treaty). Another delegates remarked that MPOWER is in line with the global tobacco treaty - FCTC - and we should be demanding implementation of the treaty to which governments have committed to enforce. The WHO FCTC is the first public health and corporate accountability treaty, said a delegate from India. Comprehensive tobacco control programmes can yield major public health outcomes, as 30% of male TB patients die of tobacco smoking.

Asthma is yet another major lung health challenge. It is a chronic disease that affects airways. When people have asthma, the inside walls of their airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that they are allergic to or find irritating. When airways react, they get narrower and lungs get less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night. When asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it's called an asthma attack. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that vital organs do not get enough oxygen. People can die from severe asthma attacks.

More than 300 million people around the world have asthma, and the disease imposes a heavy burden on individuals, families, and societies. The Global Burden of Asthma Report, indicates that asthma control often falls short and there are many barriers to asthma control around the world. Proper long-term management of asthma will permit most patients to achieve good control of their disease. Yet in many regions around the world, this goal is often not met. Poor asthma control is also seen in the lifestyle limitations experienced by some people with asthma. For example, in some regions, up to one in four children with asthma is unable to attend school regularly because of poor asthma control. Asthma deaths are the ultimate, tragic evidence of uncontrolled asthma.

According to the Global Burden of Asthma Report, the majority of asthma deaths in some regions of the world are preventable. Effective asthma treatments exist and, with proper diagnosis, education, and treatment, the great majority of asthma patients can achieve and maintain good control of their disease. When asthma is under control, patients can live full and active lives.

Pneumonia claims two million children under five each year, yet no new drug, vaccine or special diagnostic test is needed to save their lives. The answers are at hand, and effective treatment is both inexpensive and widely available.

Host of other conditions that affect the lungs, are preventable, and often treatable.

Let us hope that 2010 Year of The Lung initiative of FIRS succeeds in putting the spotlight on the long neglected part of human body which New York Times missed, the lungs.

Published in:
Scoop.com, New Zealand
Citizen News Service (CNS), India/Thailand
The Botswana Gazettes, Botswana, Africa
Modern Ghana News, Accra, Ghana
Media For Freedom, Nepal
Elites TV News, USA
Thai-Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
Bihar and Jharkhand News Service (BJNS)
American Chronicle, USA
The Liberian Mandingo Association of New York
Banderas News, Mexico
Littleabout.com
Allvoices.com
Healthdev.net
Tweetmeme.com
Digg.com
Flusymptons.net
Mediamantra.com
Astomartinnews.com
Health.kosmix.com
Newschurner.com

2010 is Year of the Lungs

2010 is Year of the Lungs
The year 2010 was declared as year of the lungs to recognize that hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable chronic respiratory diseases. This initiative acknowledges that lung health has long been neglected in public discourses, and understands the need to unify different health advocates behind one purpose of lung health, informed Dr Nils Billo, Chair of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS). Read more



The FIRS partners include the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), American Thoracic Society (ATS), Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), Asociacion Latinoamericana de Torax (ALAT), European Respiratory Society (ERS), Pan African Thoracic Society and American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

Earlier last year, the New York Times carried a series of articles on different parts of human body, but forgot the lungs! It is difficult to remain alive without lungs for more than few seconds!

The Declaration signed by the partners of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) at the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health last year read as following:
[Begin]
WE NOTE WITH GRAVE CONCERN THAT:
Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), asthma, lung cancer, H1N1, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
WE RECOGNIZE THAT:
Despite the magnitude of suffering and death caused by lung disease, lung health has long been neglected in public discourse and in public health decisions.
WE CALL UPON OUR PARTNERS TO:
Enact smoking cessation legislation and programs to reduce the prevalence and stigma of tobacco-related lung diseases.
[Ends]

There are a range of health and environmental factors that affect our lung health. This includes tuberculosis (TB), tobacco smoke, biomass fuel smoke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia among other respiratory infections. The evidence of their potentially devastating effects on global public health is increasing and they require a coordinated approach for control. These diseases all occur in predominantly resource-poor countries. They are perpetuated by poverty and inadequate resources and their control and management require coordinated approach among health programmes at all levels.

Statistically, there is 1 TB-related death that takes place every 18 seconds, 1 HIV death every 16 seconds, 1 child dies of pneumonia every 15 seconds and 1 smoking-related death every 13 seconds. The enormous public challenge posed by the combined epidemics of tobacco smoking, HIV, TB and COPD, is undoubtedly alarming.

More than 2 billion people or a third of the world's total population, are infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is now the world's seventh-leading cause of death. It killed 1.8 million people worldwide last year, up from 1.77 million in 2007. It is one of the three primary diseases that are closely linked to poverty, the other two being AIDS and malaria.

Tobacco smoking is unquestionably the primary risk factor for COPD. More than 5 million deaths are attributed to tobacco use every year. Smokers have two fold higher risk of developing active TB disease. Tobacco smokers have 2 times more risk of dieing of TB. Tobacco smoke increases the risk of pneumonia, influenza, menningococcal meningitis, among others. Evidence is accumulating that smoking is a risk factor for TB. However there is no published data on the cellular interactions of tobacco smoke and mycobacterium tuberculosis. The risk to develop active TB disease is higher when tobacco smoking is combined with alcohol.

Dr Donald Enarson stressed that tobacco smoking cessation is an important part of the comprehensive tobacco control programme, and not the only part. So all components of the comprehensive tobacco control measures should be implemented for improving public health outcomes. Dr Enarson was referring to MPOWER report from Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) of WHO which outlines the MPOWER package, a set of six key tobacco control measures that reflect and build on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC, global tobacco treaty). Another delegates remarked that MPOWER is in line with the global tobacco treaty - FCTC - and we should be demanding implementation of the treaty to which governments have committed to enforce. The WHO FCTC is the first public health and corporate accountability treaty, said a delegate from India. Comprehensive tobacco control programmes can yield major public health outcomes, as 30% of male TB patients die of tobacco smoking.

Asthma is yet another major lung health challenge. It is a chronic disease that affects airways. When people have asthma, the inside walls of their airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that they are allergic to or find irritating. When airways react, they get narrower and lungs get less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night. When asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it's called an asthma attack. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that vital organs do not get enough oxygen. People can die from severe asthma attacks.

More than 300 million people around the world have asthma, and the disease imposes a heavy burden on individuals, families, and societies. The Global Burden of Asthma Report, indicates that asthma control often falls short and there are many barriers to asthma control around the world. Proper long-term management of asthma will permit most patients to achieve good control of their disease. Yet in many regions around the world, this goal is often not met. Poor asthma control is also seen in the lifestyle limitations experienced by some people with asthma. For example, in some regions, up to one in four children with asthma is unable to attend school regularly because of poor asthma control. Asthma deaths are the ultimate, tragic evidence of uncontrolled asthma.

According to the Global Burden of Asthma Report, the majority of asthma deaths in some regions of the world are preventable. Effective asthma treatments exist and, with proper diagnosis, education, and treatment, the great majority of asthma patients can achieve and maintain good control of their disease. When asthma is under control, patients can live full and active lives.

Pneumonia claims two million children under five each year, yet no new drug, vaccine or special diagnostic test is needed to save their lives. The answers are at hand, and effective treatment is both inexpensive and widely available.

Host of other conditions that affect the lungs, are preventable, and often treatable.

Let us hope that 2010 Year of The Lung initiative of FIRS succeeds in putting the spotlight on the long neglected part of human body which New York Times missed, the lungs.

Published in:
Scoop.com, New Zealand
Citizen News Service (CNS), India/Thailand
The Botswana Gazettes, Botswana, Africa
Modern Ghana News, Accra, Ghana
Media For Freedom, Nepal
Elites TV News, USA
Thai-Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
Bihar and Jharkhand News Service (BJNS)
Littleabout.com
Allvoices.com
Healthdev.net
Tweetmeme.com
Digg.com
Flusymptons.net
Mediamantra.com
Health.kosmix.com
Newschurner.com

Not respecting confidentiality is unethical in TB Care

Not respecting confidentiality is unethical in TB Care

Why are people who might be having TB not going in for TB testing in Lesotho? "When it comes to confidentiality in TB care, going for testing often means that entire community comes to know of your TB status. This is a violation of human right" said Maketekete Alfred Thotolo, Treatment Literacy and Advocacy Coordinator at Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA Lesotho) which works closely with AIDS and Rights Alliance in Southern Africa (ARASA). Alfred was sharing his experiences from Lesotho at the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health.

People who might have TB need to have supportive and safe healthcare facilities that don't expose them to TB related stigma, says Alfred. Going for TB test is like taking a risk as healthcare facilities providing TB services are insensitive to the human rights of people who are seeking services from them.

"Normally we are told that somebody's illness is a private matter. But in clinics doctors identify TB patients violating confidentiality and trust. Lack of confidentiality further breeds stigma and discrimination related to TB for this patient" said Alfred. This fear of TB-related stigma and eventual discrimination at different levels, discourages people from going to existing TB-care services. We speak of intensified TB case finding, want people to complete anti-TB treatment successfully and prevent latent TB from becoming active TB disease by taking full course of isoniazid preventive therapy, but unless we address TB stigma and reduce discrimination, it will be difficult to achieve what we are aiming for in TB control, says he.

"In Lesotho, Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) to prevent latent TB infection from becoming active TB disease, is not available for ordinary citizens but only for health workers. Those people who have latent TB infection have a right to protect themselves and access IPT services to prevent latent TB from becoming active TB disease. I consider these people have a right to get IPT. Everybody has a right to health, when it comes to TB prevention" said Alfred. The Global TB/HIV Working Group of the Stop TB Partnership has clearly stated that: IPT works, IPT is safe, and IPT works with ART or by itself. TB is a major cause of illness and death in people living with HIV, even in those taking antiretroviral therapy. TB could be prevented in millions of people infected with both HIV and TB through the use of IPT. IPT is an important intervention for preventing and reducing active TB in communities affected by HIV - preventing active TB can prevent millions of people from being infected in the community and in health care services.

IPT is safe and effective and the treatment lasts for 6-9 months. It is only given to people who have confirmed latent TB infection (not to be given to those with active TB disease). Effective IPT treatment reduces the development of active TB disease in 40-60% of patients.

Despite of the potential public health outcomes of using IPT effectively in high burden TB countries, and IPT being one of the key interventions recommended by WHO in 1998 to reduce the burden of TB in people living with HIV, the uptake of IPT has been very low. Clearly there is a need to mobilize TB-HIV affected communities and other stakeholders to integrate IPT as part of the package of health services.

Everybody has a right to health - and this includes the right to access TB services - without any fear of healthcare facilities not respecting one's confidentiality or being denied IPT if one has latent TB and putting oneself at risk of developing active TB disease.

May be TB care and control programmes can get some lessons in reducing stigma and discrimination from other disease control programmes. Engaging community meaningfully at all levels of AIDS programmes has certainly yielded results - and reduced stigma, discrimination and increased access to AIDS services in different parts of the world. Community engagement is certainly suboptimal in TB care and control programmes in reality. There are good examples where genuine involvement of community, particularly cured TB patients, have improved TB programme performances in different parts of the world. But this is certainly not a generalized statement to the global TB control.

The WHO Global TB Strategy and the Global Plan to Stop TB (2006-2015) gives a major thrust to community engagement. The Patients' Charter for Tuberculosis Care (PCTC, The Charter) is an integral component of the WHO Global TB Strategy, as a tool to empower communities for advocating to achieve the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care (ISTC). Many national governments have adapted the Charter as official component of their national TB programmes. But in reality, genuine engagement of cured TB patients at all levels of TB programmes is a distant dream, despite of increasing number of examples where community has demonstrated their competence in improving TB responses locally. After all, why are governments reluctant to engage communities - which can address so many current impediments to TB care and control at local level?

A 2007 World Bank research report "The Economic Benefit of Global Investments in Tuberculosis Control" found that 22 countries with the world’s highest numbers of TB cases could earn significantly more than they spend on TB diagnosis and treatment if they signed onto a global plan to sharply reduce the numbers of TB-related deaths. Highly affected African countries could gain up to 9 times their investments in TB control. When the economic benefits of effective TB care and control are estimated to be greater than the cost, it is all the more reason for governments to not delay any further the improvement of TB responses by engaging communities with dignity as equal partners in TB care and control at all levels.

Not respecting confidentiality is unethical in TB Care

Not respecting confidentiality is unethical in TB Care

Why are people who might be having TB not going in for TB testing in Lesotho? "When it comes to confidentiality in TB care, going for testing often means that entire community comes to know of your TB status. This is a violation of human right" said Maketekete Alfred Thotolo, Treatment Literacy and Advocacy Coordinator at Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA Lesotho) which works closely with AIDS and Rights Alliance in Southern Africa (ARASA). Alfred was sharing his experiences from Lesotho at the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health.

People who might have TB need to have supportive and safe healthcare facilities that don't expose them to TB related stigma, says Alfred. Going for TB test is like taking a risk as healthcare facilities providing TB services are insensitive to the human rights of people who are seeking services from them.

"Normally we are told that somebody's illness is a private matter. But in clinics doctors identify TB patients violating confidentiality and trust. Lack of confidentiality further breeds stigma and discrimination related to TB for this patient" said Alfred. This fear of TB-related stigma and eventual discrimination at different levels, discourages people from going to existing TB-care services. We speak of intensified TB case finding, want people to complete anti-TB treatment successfully and prevent latent TB from becoming active TB disease by taking full course of isoniazid preventive therapy, but unless we address TB stigma and reduce discrimination, it will be difficult to achieve what we are aiming for in TB control, says he.

"In Lesotho, Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) to prevent latent TB infection from becoming active TB disease, is not available for ordinary citizens but only for health workers. Those people who have latent TB infection have a right to protect themselves and access IPT services to prevent latent TB from becoming active TB disease. I consider these people have a right to get IPT. Everybody has a right to health, when it comes to TB prevention" said Alfred. The Global TB/HIV Working Group of the Stop TB Partnership has clearly stated that: IPT works, IPT is safe, and IPT works with ART or by itself. TB is a major cause of illness and death in people living with HIV, even in those taking antiretroviral therapy. TB could be prevented in millions of people infected with both HIV and TB through the use of IPT. IPT is an important intervention for preventing and reducing active TB in communities affected by HIV - preventing active TB can prevent millions of people from being infected in the community and in health care services.

IPT is safe and effective and the treatment lasts for 6-9 months. It is only given to people who have confirmed latent TB infection (not to be given to those with active TB disease). Effective IPT treatment reduces the development of active TB disease in 40-60% of patients.

Despite of the potential public health outcomes of using IPT effectively in high burden TB countries, and IPT being one of the key interventions recommended by WHO in 1998 to reduce the burden of TB in people living with HIV, the uptake of IPT has been very low. Clearly there is a need to mobilize TB-HIV affected communities and other stakeholders to integrate IPT as part of the package of health services.

Everybody has a right to health - and this includes the right to access TB services - without any fear of healthcare facilities not respecting one's confidentiality or being denied IPT if one has latent TB and putting oneself at risk of developing active TB disease.

May be TB care and control programmes can get some lessons in reducing stigma and discrimination from other disease control programmes. Engaging community meaningfully at all levels of AIDS programmes has certainly yielded results - and reduced stigma, discrimination and increased access to AIDS services in different parts of the world. Community engagement is certainly suboptimal in TB care and control programmes in reality. There are good examples where genuine involvement of community, particularly cured TB patients, have improved TB programme performances in different parts of the world. But this is certainly not a generalized statement to the global TB control.

The WHO Global TB Strategy and the Global Plan to Stop TB (2006-2015) gives a major thrust to community engagement. The Patients' Charter for Tuberculosis Care (PCTC, The Charter) is an integral component of the WHO Global TB Strategy, as a tool to empower communities for advocating to achieve the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care (ISTC). Many national governments have adapted the Charter as official component of their national TB programmes. But in reality, genuine engagement of cured TB patients at all levels of TB programmes is a distant dream, despite of increasing number of examples where community has demonstrated their competence in improving TB responses locally. After all, why are governments reluctant to engage communities - which can address so many current impediments to TB care and control at local level?

A 2007 World Bank research report "The Economic Benefit of Global Investments in Tuberculosis Control" found that 22 countries with the world’s highest numbers of TB cases could earn significantly more than they spend on TB diagnosis and treatment if they signed onto a global plan to sharply reduce the numbers of TB-related deaths. Highly affected African countries could gain up to 9 times their investments in TB control. When the economic benefits of effective TB care and control are estimated to be greater than the cost, it is all the more reason for governments to not delay any further the improvement of TB responses by engaging communities with dignity as equal partners in TB care and control at all levels.

Community-led monitoring and advocacy is improving TB response in Zimbabwe

Community-led monitoring and advocacy is improving TB response in Zimbabwe

Despite of the Patients' Charter for Tuberculosis Care being an integral part of the Global Stop TB Strategy, and major thrust on community engagement in the Global Plan to Stop TB, communities are yet not optimally engaged by the TB programmes in high burden countries. However there are promising examples where community engagement has led to improved TB programme outcomes, and health outcomes over all.

At the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cancun, Mexico, co-chairs Dorothy Namutamba, East African Regional Coordinator for International Community of Women with HIV/AIDS (ICW) and Erin Howe from Public Health Watch, moderated a very interactive session on community engagement in TB responses. Albert Makone from Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) shared an inspiring example of how communities were engaged and mobilized for the uptake of intensified TB case finding in HIV-care settings.

"Our role has been over the past years to encourage community participation and to build mechanisms so that community can engage - our motto is health is your right and also your responsibility" said Albert Makone. "We began working on HIV in 1998 and integrated TB issues too in 2007" informed Albert. "The evidence that was coming from the civil society on people getting impacted by both: HIV and TB - led us to integrate TB in our initiatives."

"We engaged parliamentarians, national TB programme (NTP) managers, and other stakeholders" said Albert. "We elected the parliamentarians and we thought that engaging them will increase accountability of them towards their own electorate" said Albert. "The Abuja Declaration that demanded 15% budget allocation for health was a great tool to push parliamentarians for upping domestic funding on health. We believe one day we will invest more than 15% of budget on health" shares Albert.

"We began working closely with regional campaign for essential medicines. Nokia, mobile phone manufacturer, distributed mobile phones to every health centre and clinics so that clinics can communicate with the health centres and inform them about depleting drug stocks. This was an intervention in response to drug stock-outs in Zimbabwe" said Albert.

"There were reports about theft in dispensaries so we mobilized funds for security guards so that drugs go to the people who need it most" said Albert.

Speaking about community monitors called "TB Monitors" at village level, Albert says: "We were able to do community monitoring by training people to be TB monitors at the village level. These monitors were trained for five days on HIV and TB issues and screened local people to boost intensified new TB case finding - and increase treatment literacy for better treatment outcomes" says Albert.

"One of the key challenge was vertical programming of TB and HIV - and we need to find solutions to up the collaborative TB/HIV activities on the ground" remarks Albert.

The lack of coordinated mechanism between the new agencies addressing TB has required Albert's organization to take on a leadership role in pushing the TB/HIV advocacy agenda in Zimbabwe.

"It was a long process to engage parliamentarians as their awareness on health was low. We finally organized two days workshop with parliamentarians to sensitize them on health and emphasize the TB/HIV epidemics in Zimbabwe. We focussed on reaching out to the portfolio committee on health and slowly the role of community was becoming evident to policy makers - that community is there not only to criticize but also to help give input and shape solutions as informed and treatment literate partner" said Albert.

"Issue of infrastructure is there as it is in a very dilapidated state in Zimbabwe. Laboratory capacity is weak and domestic funding is low" shares Albert.

"NTP managers should consider community as equal partner and listen to their voices. If they don't involve affected communities in a meaningful manner, it will be a missing link. We will have good laboratories, diagnostics, drugs but continue to have higher infection rates. We need to listen to community voices and resolve the issues they face to improve TB programme performances" said Albert.

As a result of the growing movement for TB/HIV collaborative activities, a quarter of the AIDS service organizations in two districts of Zimbabwe are offering TB screening to their clients and referring them for diagnosis and treatment of TB.

Community-led monitoring and advocacy is improving TB response in Zimbabwe

Community-led monitoring and advocacy is improving TB response in Zimbabwe

Despite of the Patients' Charter for Tuberculosis Care being an integral part of the Global Stop TB Strategy, and major thrust on community engagement in the Global Plan to Stop TB, communities are yet not optimally engaged by the TB programmes in high burden countries. However there are promising examples where community engagement has led to improved TB programme outcomes, and health outcomes over all.

At the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cancun, Mexico, co-chairs Dorothy Namutamba, East African Regional Coordinator for International Community of Women with HIV/AIDS (ICW) and Erin Howe from Public Health Watch, moderated a very interactive session on community engagement in TB responses. Albert Makone from Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) shared an inspiring example of how communities were engaged and mobilized for the uptake of intensified TB case finding in HIV-care settings.

"Our role has been over the past years to encourage community participation and to build mechanisms so that community can engage - our motto is health is your right and also your responsibility" said Albert Makone. "We began working on HIV in 1998 and integrated TB issues too in 2007" informed Albert. "The evidence that was coming from the civil society on people getting impacted by both: HIV and TB - led us to integrate TB in our initiatives."

"We engaged parliamentarians, national TB programme (NTP) managers, and other stakeholders" said Albert. "We elected the parliamentarians and we thought that engaging them will increase accountability of them towards their own electorate" said Albert. "The Abuja Declaration that demanded 15% budget allocation for health was a great tool to push parliamentarians for upping domestic funding on health. We believe one day we will invest more than 15% of budget on health" shares Albert.

"We began working closely with regional campaign for essential medicines. Nokia, mobile phone manufacturer, distributed mobile phones to every health centre and clinics so that clinics can communicate with the health centres and inform them about depleting drug stocks. This was an intervention in response to drug stock-outs in Zimbabwe" said Albert.

"There were reports about theft in dispensaries so we mobilized funds for security guards so that drugs go to the people who need it most" said Albert.

Speaking about community monitors called "TB Monitors" at village level, Albert says: "We were able to do community monitoring by training people to be TB monitors at the village level. These monitors were trained for five days on HIV and TB issues and screened local people to boost intensified new TB case finding - and increase treatment literacy for better treatment outcomes" says Albert.

"One of the key challenge was vertical programming of TB and HIV - and we need to find solutions to up the collaborative TB/HIV activities on the ground" remarks Albert.

The lack of coordinated mechanism between the new agencies addressing TB has required Albert's organization to take on a leadership role in pushing the TB/HIV advocacy agenda in Zimbabwe.

"It was a long process to engage parliamentarians as their awareness on health was low. We finally organized two days workshop with parliamentarians to sensitize them on health and emphasize the TB/HIV epidemics in Zimbabwe. We focussed on reaching out to the portfolio committee on health and slowly the role of community was becoming evident to policy makers - that community is there not only to criticize but also to help give input and shape solutions as informed and treatment literate partner" said Albert.

"Issue of infrastructure is there as it is in a very dilapidated state in Zimbabwe. Laboratory capacity is weak and domestic funding is low" shares Albert.

"NTP managers should consider community as equal partner and listen to their voices. If they don't involve affected communities in a meaningful manner, it will be a missing link. We will have good laboratories, diagnostics, drugs but continue to have higher infection rates. We need to listen to community voices and resolve the issues they face to improve TB programme performances" said Albert.

As a result of the growing movement for TB/HIV collaborative activities, a quarter of the AIDS service organizations in two districts of Zimbabwe are offering TB screening to their clients and referring them for diagnosis and treatment of TB.

Global Fund approves TB funding for government and civil society led proposal in India

Global Fund approves TB funding for government and civil society led proposal in India
A defining moment in the history of tuberculosis control in India

A proposal that will launch a massive effort to address two of the main challenges to tuberculosis (TB) control in India has been approved for Round 9 funding by the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). The grant is by far the largest ever made to TB control in India, the country which bears the highest TB burden and also has highest estimated incidence of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) in the world.

The proposal submitted by the Government of India in partnership with civil society has three principal recipients – the Government’s Central TB Division, The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and World Vision India – who will be responsible for implementing the five-year project.

“We’re very pleased to learn of the success of this proposal”, said Dr Nils E Billo, Executive Director of The Union. “In particular, the strengthening of civil society participation demonstrates the new awareness that health systems alone can not solve problems like TB control. Broader social commitment is required”.

The first component of the project will focus on providing universal access to MDR-TB diagnosis and treatment. It will establish and scale-up capacity for quality-assured rapid diagnosis of MDR-TB in 43 referral laboratories in India by 2015. In addition, it seeks to scale up care and management of MDR-TB across India in its 35 states and territories resulting in the treatment of 55,350 additional MDR-TB cases by 2015.

The second component seeks to strengthen civil society involvement in TB care and control to improve the reach, visibility and effectiveness of India’s Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNCTP) in 374 districts across 23 states, reaching about 744 million people by 2015.

While India has already made great strides in providing access to basic ‘DOTS’ (the globally recognised strategy for TB control), this project will provide better access to TB services, especially in geographically difficult areas, vulnerable communities and tribal populations.

Additionally, RNTCP will be supported and strengthened at the sub-district, district, state and national levels. The involvement of multiple stakeholders across civil society, from private practitioners and NGOs to technical agencies and community groups, on such a large scale, is expected to develop functional and sustainable networks, increase information sharing and accountability, and empower community monitoring and ownership of TB care and control.

The Global Fund Board has approved funding for the initial two years of the five-year proposal that seeks a total grant of US$ 199.54 million. The actual funding amount for the two years will be finalised in the next few months.

Global Fund approves TB funding for government and civil society led proposal in India

Global Fund approves TB funding for government and civil society led proposal in India
A defining moment in the history of tuberculosis control in India

A proposal that will launch a massive effort to address two of the main challenges to tuberculosis (TB) control in India has been approved for Round 9 funding by the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). The grant is by far the largest ever made to TB control in India, the country which bears the highest TB burden and also has highest estimated incidence of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) in the world.

The proposal submitted by the Government of India in partnership with civil society has three principal recipients – the Government’s Central TB Division, The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and World Vision India – who will be responsible for implementing the five-year project.

“We’re very pleased to learn of the success of this proposal”, said Dr Nils E Billo, Executive Director of The Union. “In particular, the strengthening of civil society participation demonstrates the new awareness that health systems alone can not solve problems like TB control. Broader social commitment is required”.

The first component of the project will focus on providing universal access to MDR-TB diagnosis and treatment. It will establish and scale-up capacity for quality-assured rapid diagnosis of MDR-TB in 43 referral laboratories in India by 2015. In addition, it seeks to scale up care and management of MDR-TB across India in its 35 states and territories resulting in the treatment of 55,350 additional MDR-TB cases by 2015.

The second component seeks to strengthen civil society involvement in TB care and control to improve the reach, visibility and effectiveness of India’s Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNCTP) in 374 districts across 23 states, reaching about 744 million people by 2015.

While India has already made great strides in providing access to basic ‘DOTS’ (the globally recognised strategy for TB control), this project will provide better access to TB services, especially in geographically difficult areas, vulnerable communities and tribal populations.

Additionally, RNTCP will be supported and strengthened at the sub-district, district, state and national levels. The involvement of multiple stakeholders across civil society, from private practitioners and NGOs to technical agencies and community groups, on such a large scale, is expected to develop functional and sustainable networks, increase information sharing and accountability, and empower community monitoring and ownership of TB care and control.

The Global Fund Board has approved funding for the initial two years of the five-year proposal that seeks a total grant of US$ 199.54 million. The actual funding amount for the two years will be finalised in the next few months.

Community-led monitoring of anti-TB essential medicines in Uganda

Community-led monitoring of anti-TB essential medicines in Uganda

The Global Pan to Stop TB (2006-2015) identifies a need to empower communities to take ownership and drive the agenda for TB elimination. Communities are vital partners for policy makers and implementers in addressing TB, MDR-TB and TB-HIV, and diverse strategies are required to support their full participation.

Community-led monitoring of drug supply and procurement can be a vital tool to document challenges people with TB might be facing and also to lead to solutions. A good example rests in Uganda. "My organization was monitoring a list of 15 essential medicines in Uganda. After a training I underwent with Treatment Action Group (TAG) and ICW, I understood the importance of TB and HIV drugs and the need to monitor them as well. After considerable efforts, I could convince my organization to add the TB/HIV drugs to the list of essential drugs we monitor" said Prima Kazoora, Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development, Uganda. "During monitoring of essential medicines, we discovered that there were frequent drug-stock outs and there were times when TB drugs were not available for more than three months! There were patients with TB who were put on anti-TB treatment who got their treatment disrupted due to drug stock-outs lasting months at times. This could lead to increase in drug resistance and poor treatment outcomes" shared Prima.

"We also found out that the TB laboratories were often out of reagents and therefore unable to conduct any TB test" said Prima. "TB treatment is available in public sector hospitals only. It is not available in private sector hospitals. Anti-TB drugs are also not available in pharmacies. So when government-run centres had drug stock-out, people with TB were left with no other option" said Prima Kazoora.

"Lack of paediatric formulations was another major challenge. Health workers were asked to break down tablets in equal parts for children" said Prima.

So Prima's organization continued monitoring, documenting and reporting these issues. They investigated using community networks that the problem due to which drug stock outs occur in Uganda are mostly in distribution system and interruption in funding cycles. Uganda government was mostly relying on external funding to procure these drugs. So when Uganda government wasn't able to access funds from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM), it led to stock outs.

"Government should earmark funds for essential medicines to ensure no drug stock outs occur" suggested Prima.

"Stop Medicine Stock-Out Campaign engaged a wide network of organizations and began lobbying to ensure regular drug supply of essential medicines. During this campaign, we highlighted issues and build pressure on authorities to respond. Eventually the President of Uganda came up with drug monitoring unit for drug distribution and procurement campaign increasing access and availability of essential medicines" said Prima.

Prima's work has allowed TB/HIV activists to be recognized as crucial partners in the fight against TB in Uganda. She was selected to serve on the Technical Working Group on Medicines that advises the Ugandan government on policies related to purchase and accessibility of essential medicines.

Published In:
Elites TV News, USA
Citizen News Service (CNS), India/Thailand
Health Dev.Net
NGO News Africa, Africa
Celebrifi News.com

Community-led monitoring of anti-TB essential medicines in Uganda

Community-led monitoring of anti-TB essential medicines in Uganda

The Global Pan to Stop TB (2006-2015) identifies a need to empower communities to take ownership and drive the agenda for TB elimination. Communities are vital partners for policy makers and implementers in addressing TB, MDR-TB and TB-HIV, and diverse strategies are required to support their full participation.

Community-led monitoring of drug supply and procurement can be a vital tool to document challenges people with TB might be facing and also to lead to solutions. A good example rests in Uganda. "My organization was monitoring a list of 15 essential medicines in Uganda. After a training I underwent with Treatment Action Group (TAG) and ICW, I understood the importance of TB and HIV drugs and the need to monitor them as well. After considerable efforts, I could convince my organization to add the TB/HIV drugs to the list of essential drugs we monitor" said Prima Kazoora, Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development, Uganda. "During monitoring of essential medicines, we discovered that there were frequent drug-stock outs and there were times when TB drugs were not available for more than three months! There were patients with TB who were put on anti-TB treatment who got their treatment disrupted due to drug stock-outs lasting months at times. This could lead to increase in drug resistance and poor treatment outcomes" shared Prima.

"We also found out that the TB laboratories were often out of reagents and therefore unable to conduct any TB test" said Prima. "TB treatment is available in public sector hospitals only. It is not available in private sector hospitals. Anti-TB drugs are also not available in pharmacies. So when government-run centres had drug stock-out, people with TB were left with no other option" said Prima Kazoora.

"Lack of paediatric formulations was another major challenge. Health workers were asked to break down tablets in equal parts for children" said Prima.

So Prima's organization continued monitoring, documenting and reporting these issues. They investigated using community networks that the problem due to which drug stock outs occur in Uganda are mostly in distribution system and interruption in funding cycles. Uganda government was mostly relying on external funding to procure these drugs. So when Uganda government wasn't able to access funds from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM), it led to stock outs.

"Government should earmark funds for essential medicines to ensure no drug stock outs occur" suggested Prima.

"Stop Medicine Stock-Out Campaign engaged a wide network of organizations and began lobbying to ensure regular drug supply of essential medicines. During this campaign, we highlighted issues and build pressure on authorities to respond. Eventually the President of Uganda came up with drug monitoring unit for drug distribution and procurement campaign increasing access and availability of essential medicines" said Prima.

Prima's work has allowed TB/HIV activists to be recognized as crucial partners in the fight against TB in Uganda. She was selected to serve on the Technical Working Group on Medicines that advises the Ugandan government on policies related to purchase and accessibility of essential medicines.

Published In:
Elites TV News, USA
Citizen News Service (CNS), India/Thailand
Health Dev.Net
NGO News Africa, Africa
Celebrifi News.com

The year 2010 is declared as Year of the Lung

The year 2010 is declared as Year of the Lung

The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) convening at the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cancun, Mexico, declared the year 2010 as the Year of the Lung. This was done to recognize that hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable chronic respiratory diseases. This initiative acknowledges that lung health has long been neglected in public discourses, and understands the need to unify different health advocates behind one purpose of lung health, informed Dr Nils Billo, Chair of FIRS. The FIRS partners include the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), American Thoracic Society (ATS), Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), Asociacion Latinoamericana de Torax (ALAT), European Respiratory Society (ERS), Pan African Thoracic Society and American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

The New York Times carried a series of articles on different parts of human body, but forgot the lungs! It is difficult to remain alive without lungs for more than few seconds!

The Declaration signed by the partners of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) read as following:

[Begin]
WE NOTE WITH GRAVE CONCERN THAT:
Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), asthma, lung cancer, H1N1, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

WE RECOGNIZE THAT:
Despite the magnitude of suffering and death caused by lung disease, lung health has long been neglected in public discourse and in public health decisions.

WE CALL UPON OUR PARTNERS TO:
Enact smoking cessation legislation and programs to reduce the prevalence and stigma of tobacco-related lung diseases.
[Ends]

There are a range of health and environmental factors that affect our lung health. This includes tuberculosis (TB), tobacco smoke, biomass fuel smoke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia among other respiratory infections. The evidence of their potentially devastating effects on global public health is increasing and they require a coordinated approach for control. These diseases all occur in predominantly resource-poor countries. They are perpetuated by poverty and inadequate resources and their control and management require coordinated approach among health programmes at all levels.

Statistically, there is 1 TB-related death that takes place every 18 seconds, 1 HIV death every 16 seconds, 1 child dies of pneumonia every 15 seconds and 1 smoking-related death every 13 seconds. The enormous public challenge posed by the combined epidemics of tobacco smoking, HIV, TB and COPD, is undoubtedly alarming.

More than 2 billion people or a third of the world's total population, are infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is now the world's seventh-leading cause of death. It killed 1.8 million people worldwide last year, up from 1.77 million in 2007. It is one of the three primary diseases that are closely linked to poverty, the other two being AIDS and malaria.

Tobacco smoking is unquestionably the primary risk factor for COPD. More than 5 million deaths are attributed to tobacco use every year. Smokers have two fold higher risk of developing active TB disease. Tobacco smokers have 2 times more risk of dieing of TB. Tobacco smoke increases the risk of pneumonia, influenza, menningococcal meningitis, among others. Evidence is accumulating that smoking is a risk factor for TB. However there is no published data on the cellular interactions of tobacco smoke and mycobacterium tuberculosis. The risk to develop active TB disease is higher when tobacco smoking is combined with alcohol.

Dr Donald Enarson stressed that tobacco smoking cessation is an important part of the comprehensive tobacco control programme, and not the only part. So all components of the comprehensive tobacco control measures should be implemented for improving public health outcomes. Dr Enarson was referring to MPOWER report from Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) of WHO which outlines the MPOWER package, a set of six key tobacco control measures that reflect and build on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC, global tobacco treaty). Another delegates remarked that MPOWER is in line with the global tobacco treaty - FCTC - and we should be demanding implementation of the treaty to which governments have committed to enforce. The WHO FCTC is the first public health and corporate accountability treaty, said a delegate from India. Comprehensive tobacco control programmes can yield major public health outcomes, as 30% of male TB patients die of tobacco smoking.

Asthma is yet another major lung health challenge. It is a chronic disease that affects airways. When people have asthma, the inside walls of their airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that they are allergic to or find irritating. When airways react, they get narrower and lungs get less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night. When asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it's called an asthma attack. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that vital organs do not get enough oxygen. People can die from severe asthma attacks.

More than 300 million people around the world have asthma, and the disease imposes a heavy burden on individuals, families, and societies. The Global Burden of Asthma Report, indicates that asthma control often falls short and there are many barriers to asthma control around the world. Proper long-term management of asthma will permit most patients to achieve good control of their disease. Yet in many regions around the world, this goal is often not met. Poor asthma control is also seen in the lifestyle limitations experienced by some people with asthma. For example, in some regions, up to one in four children with asthma is unable to attend school regularly because of poor asthma control. Asthma deaths are the ultimate, tragic evidence of uncontrolled asthma.

According to the Global Burden of Asthma Report, the majority of asthma deaths in some regions of the world are preventable. Effective asthma treatments exist and, with proper diagnosis, education, and treatment, the great majority of asthma patients can achieve and maintain good control of their disease. When asthma is under control, patients can live full and active lives.

Pneumonia claims two million children under five each year, yet no new drug, vaccine or special diagnostic test is needed to save their lives. The answers are at hand, and effective treatment is both inexpensive and widely available.

Host of other conditions that affect the lungs, are preventable, and often treatable.

Let us hope that 2010 Year of The Lung initiative of FIRS puts the spotlight on the long neglected part of human body which New York Times missed, the lungs.

Published in:
Thai-Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
Citizen News Service (CNS), India/Thailand
Modern Ghana News, Accra, Ghana
Media For Freedom, Nepal
Banderas News, Mexico
Elites TV News, USA
World News Network (WNN), USA
Orissa.Net, Orissa, India
Bihar And Jharkhand News Service (BJNS)
Allergyasthmasolutions.com
Health Dev.Net
Connect in.com
Tweetmeme.com
Twitter.com

The year 2010 is declared as Year of the Lung

The year 2010 is declared as Year of the Lung

The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) convening at the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cancun, Mexico, declared the year 2010 as the Year of the Lung. This was done to recognize that hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable chronic respiratory diseases. This initiative acknowledges that lung health has long been neglected in public discourses, and understands the need to unify different health advocates behind one purpose of lung health, informed Dr Nils Billo, Chair of FIRS. The FIRS partners include the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), American Thoracic Society (ATS), Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), Asociacion Latinoamericana de Torax (ALAT), European Respiratory Society (ERS), Pan African Thoracic Society and American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

The New York Times carried a series of articles on different parts of human body, but forgot the lungs! It is difficult to remain alive without lungs for more than few seconds!

The Declaration signed by the partners of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) read as following:

[Begin]
WE NOTE WITH GRAVE CONCERN THAT:
Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer each year from treatable and preventable respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), asthma, lung cancer, H1N1, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

WE RECOGNIZE THAT:
Despite the magnitude of suffering and death caused by lung disease, lung health has long been neglected in public discourse and in public health decisions.

WE CALL UPON OUR PARTNERS TO:
Enact smoking cessation legislation and programs to reduce the prevalence and stigma of tobacco-related lung diseases.
[Ends]

There are a range of health and environmental factors that affect our lung health. This includes tuberculosis (TB), tobacco smoke, biomass fuel smoke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia among other respiratory infections. The evidence of their potentially devastating effects on global public health is increasing and they require a coordinated approach for control. These diseases all occur in predominantly resource-poor countries. They are perpetuated by poverty and inadequate resources and their control and management require coordinated approach among health programmes at all levels.

Statistically, there is 1 TB-related death that takes place every 18 seconds, 1 HIV death every 16 seconds, 1 child dies of pneumonia every 15 seconds and 1 smoking-related death every 13 seconds. The enormous public challenge posed by the combined epidemics of tobacco smoking, HIV, TB and COPD, is undoubtedly alarming.

More than 2 billion people or a third of the world's total population, are infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is now the world's seventh-leading cause of death. It killed 1.8 million people worldwide last year, up from 1.77 million in 2007. It is one of the three primary diseases that are closely linked to poverty, the other two being AIDS and malaria.

Tobacco smoking is unquestionably the primary risk factor for COPD. More than 5 million deaths are attributed to tobacco use every year. Smokers have two fold higher risk of developing active TB disease. Tobacco smokers have 2 times more risk of dieing of TB. Tobacco smoke increases the risk of pneumonia, influenza, menningococcal meningitis, among others. Evidence is accumulating that smoking is a risk factor for TB. However there is no published data on the cellular interactions of tobacco smoke and mycobacterium tuberculosis. The risk to develop active TB disease is higher when tobacco smoking is combined with alcohol.

Dr Donald Enarson stressed that tobacco smoking cessation is an important part of the comprehensive tobacco control programme, and not the only part. So all components of the comprehensive tobacco control measures should be implemented for improving public health outcomes. Dr Enarson was referring to MPOWER report from Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) of WHO which outlines the MPOWER package, a set of six key tobacco control measures that reflect and build on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC, global tobacco treaty). Another delegates remarked that MPOWER is in line with the global tobacco treaty - FCTC - and we should be demanding implementation of the treaty to which governments have committed to enforce. The WHO FCTC is the first public health and corporate accountability treaty, said a delegate from India. Comprehensive tobacco control programmes can yield major public health outcomes, as 30% of male TB patients die of tobacco smoking.

Asthma is yet another major lung health challenge. It is a chronic disease that affects airways. When people have asthma, the inside walls of their airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that they are allergic to or find irritating. When airways react, they get narrower and lungs get less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night. When asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it's called an asthma attack. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that vital organs do not get enough oxygen. People can die from severe asthma attacks.

More than 300 million people around the world have asthma, and the disease imposes a heavy burden on individuals, families, and societies. The Global Burden of Asthma Report, indicates that asthma control often falls short and there are many barriers to asthma control around the world. Proper long-term management of asthma will permit most patients to achieve good control of their disease. Yet in many regions around the world, this goal is often not met. Poor asthma control is also seen in the lifestyle limitations experienced by some people with asthma. For example, in some regions, up to one in four children with asthma is unable to attend school regularly because of poor asthma control. Asthma deaths are the ultimate, tragic evidence of uncontrolled asthma.

According to the Global Burden of Asthma Report, the majority of asthma deaths in some regions of the world are preventable. Effective asthma treatments exist and, with proper diagnosis, education, and treatment, the great majority of asthma patients can achieve and maintain good control of their disease. When asthma is under control, patients can live full and active lives.

Pneumonia claims two million children under five each year, yet no new drug, vaccine or special diagnostic test is needed to save their lives. The answers are at hand, and effective treatment is both inexpensive and widely available.

Host of other conditions that affect the lungs, are preventable, and often treatable.

Let us hope that 2010 Year of The Lung initiative of FIRS puts the spotlight on the long neglected part of human body which New York Times missed, the lungs.

Published in:
Thai-Indian News, Bangkok, Thailand
Citizen News Service (CNS), India/Thailand
Modern Ghana News, Accra, Ghana
Media For Freedom, Nepal
Banderas News, Mexico
Elites TV News, USA
World News Network (WNN), USA
Orissa.Net, Orissa, India
Bihar And Jharkhand News Service (BJNS)
Allergyasthmasolutions.com
Health Dev.Net
Connect in.com
Tweetmeme.com
Twitter.com

Human rights violations in people with TB

Human rights violations in people with TB

Human Rights have long been ignored in TB 'Control', but are a foundation for improving care as outlined in the International Standards for TB Care (ISTC) and the Patients' Charter for TB Care (PCTC). At the 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health, delegates spoke about human rights violations that challenge TB care and control on the frontlines in their national contexts.

"Dominant human rights violations in TB patients are in those who have co-infection of HIV. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind or in those who work in the field, that when you have HIV combined with TB, there is immense stigma and shame apparently associated with HIV. My own sense is that TB patients are partially discriminated against it is not as extreme not as severe and not as comprehensive open system that we have against HIV. But I am speaking in southern African environment and it might be different in other parts of the world. Certainly the struggle against both, stigma and discrimination against TB and HIV, or any other diseases, because sexually transmitted diseases are also discriminated against, should be fought against vehemently. In the case of TB and HIV one of the drawbacks of this discrimination and isolation of patients is that it drives the disease underground and actually leads to greater public health damage by being widespread and therefore is fundamentally a bad result from public health point of view not only from ethical or moral point of view" said Professor Hoosen Coovadia, noted paediatrician and expert in perinatal HIV transmission, former Head of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Natal until 2000 and Victor Daitz Professor for HIV/AIDS research at the University of Natal, South Africa.

"Every TB patient has the right to get high quality standards of prevention, treatment and care services. At present TB programmes don't reach every patient who needs care in India. Some issues like working hours of TB-services which don't suit some patients, need to be addressed by adjusting timings. TB patients should get proper diagnosis and other services as required in reality - just drugs available on paper is not enough, the services must reach the patients. One of the good TB strategies should be to engage TB patients. The cured TB patients can advocate with new TB patients and in communities to improve TB responses. These cured TB patients can spread the message that TB is curable, thereby reducing TB-related stigma. They can also be engaged in strengthening social movement to eradicate TB" said Dr D Behera, Union Karel Styblo Awardee for Public Health 2009 and Director of LRS Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi, India.

"The literacy rates among TB patients are low, they are less aware of their own rights and responsibilities related to TB care and services. There is enormous social stigma related to TB prevalent in our society that further put them at risk of human rights violations. Patients of TB are often not comfortable with disclosure" said Dr Darakshan Badar, Programme Manager, Provincial TB control Programme (PTP), Lahore, Pakistan.

"Bangladesh is a success story in terms of TB control. However previously we had lot of TB-related stigma due to which TB patients were isolated at times from their families. Now TB patients go on their own to seek TB care" said Dr K Zaman from ICDDRB Bangladesh. All is not good too in Bangladesh. "Lot of TB patients go to general practitioners outside DOTS and get treated with a range of antibiotics instead of being referred to DOTS" says Dr Zaman. "I conducted study in the past, where 50% of new TB patients were found to be resistant to at least one anti-TB drug, and 5.5% had MDR-TB" adds Dr Zaman.

"In DRC, we have organizations of cured TB patients to help other patients to minimise stigma. TB patients can share their difficulties and concern with each other in this network during the treatment and successfully complete DOTS. These TB patients' groups have been there in DRC for the last ten years. In Kinshasa, many TB patients were defaulting earlier so NTP realized the importance of engaging cure TB patients and counselling new TB patients on taking TB treatment on time. These TB patients' led groups have upped the TB cure rate in DRC to 90%" said Dr Jean Pierre Kabuayi Nyengele, Deputy NTP Manager, Democratic Repubic of Congo (DRC).

"It is a right of TB patients to access prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care services. But that is not happening because of range of reasons including weak health systems, suboptimal infrastructure, lack of facilities" says Dr Peter Kimuu, TBCAP, Kenya.

"In our context, female TB patients have more problems in accessing existing services for TB. Female TB patients find it difficult to get engaged, married or those who are already married, often get divorced due to stigma related to TB" shares Dr Ejaz Qadeer, National TB control Programme (NTP), Pakistan.

"Female TB patients face a lot of problems and we need to establish protocol and guidelines to address gender-specific issues in TB programmes" suggests Dr Razia Fatima, Programme Officer, National TB Control Programme (NTP), Islamabad, Pakistan.

There are many more points to ponder and decide whether these qualify as human rights violations too:

- Requiring patients pay for any diagnosis and treatment of TB, a declared "threat to public health".
- Denying patients social support through peer-groups and hotline services.
- Forcing innocent people to take toxic drugs that are not quality assured by WHO standards.-
- Not adhering to treatment for infectious TB and knowingly putting others at risk.
- Refusing to treat extra-pulmonary MDR-TB because it is non infectious.
- Not informing patients of their Rights and Responsibilities (PCTC/ISTC).
- Requiring public healthcare personnel to work without adequate infection control.
- Not providing palliative care for MDR/XDR patients for whom treatment is not available or viable.

Do they and many other such situations people with TB deal with on daily basis, qualify as human rights violations? Speak your world!

Published in:
Citizen News Service (CNS), India/Thailand
Twitter.com
Elites TV News, USA