| Azlan Othman |
IN BRUNEI Darussalam, the rate of cases involving tuberculosis (TB) has shown a drop from 96 per 100,000 in 2000, to 57 per 100,000 in 2017. Last year, 240 new cases were recorded, compared to 311 in 2000.
This was highlighted by Dato Paduka Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Jaafar, the Minister of Health, in his message to mark World TB Day 2018, which is celebrated annually on March 24, with the aim of raising the awareness of all parties, including the general public, that TB is still prevalent in most countries around the world.
“TB disease causes nearly 1.5 million deaths annually, mostly in developing countries,” said the minister in his statement. “For 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Stop TB Partnership have chosen the theme of ‘Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world’.
This theme aims to inspire all levels of society to act and play a leading role in the prevention and control of TB.
“WHO estimates that nine million new cases of TB occur every year, worldwide. Of these, three million sufferers were undetected and did not receive any treatment.
“Most of them are impoverished, isolated and at high-risk. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that those infected with TB should get access to diagnosis and treatment.”
The minister then noted that despite studies by the Ministry of Health (MoH) showing a reduction in the number of cases across Brunei, the rate of decline has been very slow in recent years.
“Among the contributors to this situation is the extended lifespan of people in this country, which is the result of the positive impact of healthcare effectiveness on the wellbeing of the people and the population,” he said.
“However, with increased life expectancy, we are more vulnerable to the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, which contribute to increased risk of developing TB-like infections.
“Many studies have shown links between NCDs and TB, where NCD sufferers are more susceptible to TB infection, due to their weakened immune systems.
Therefore, the prevention and control of NCDs is one of the key factors in preventing and controlling TB in our country.
“Alhamdulillah, Brunei Darussalam is very blessed, because the TB germ-immune rate on anti-TB drugs (multi-drug resistant TB and extensively drug-resistant TB) and cases of TB infection in HIV-infected (TB-HIV) patients in the country is very low.
“Both of these are two major challenges facing the world today. However, the MoH will continue to be proactive in ensuring that these challenges are constantly monitored and controlled in our country.”
The minister then outlined the MoH’s adopted strategies and measures to curb the spread of TB in Brunei Darussalam, by an increased awareness of all health professionals and the general public about the disease; implementing TB screenings to specific target groups; and the treatment and monitoring of TB patients, which includes preventing the emergence of TB immunity against anti-TB drugs.
“The strategy for the elimination of TB in Brunei Darussalam not only focusses on the treatment at the time of infection, but also through holistic methods which take into account the social and environmental factors that can increase the risk of developing TB such as malnutrition, poor housing and air circulation,” he said.
“Apart from that, the patients’ compliance willingness and determination, together with the support of family members, is very important in ensuring their complete recovery from TB, without infecting their families or others around them.
The minister also reasserted the MoH’s main priority that ‘Health Is Everyone’s Business’, by calling for firm cooperation and full commitment from all stakeholders from all levels of society, including village heads, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and educational institutions to come together in the prevention, control and elimination of TB disease in Brunei Darussalam.
“World TB Day gives us the opportunity to boost awareness and understanding of TB-related problems, as well as efforts to support the MoH in controlling TB,” he said.
“Although our country has made significant progress in the control and treatment of TB, we cannot be complacent, as the disease is still causing many deaths worldwide. TB and its effects can be prevented, and by working together, we can achieve the vision towards a healthy nation.”