World Tuberculosis Day 2021: 24th March; History, Significance And Theme

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Every year, on March 24th, we observe World TB Day, also commonly known as the World Tuberculosis Day. This is a worldwide event, the most important aim of which is to raise public awareness of the Tuberculosis disease. Additionally, it also aims to make people aware of the efforts that are being made to not only prevent but also treat this disease.

History of World TB Day:

Caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, TB is an infectious bacterial disease that commonly affects a person’s lungs. It was on March 24th in the year 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch, a German physician and microbiologist detected that the cause of this disease was the TB Bacillus. 100 years later, in 1982, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease launched the World TB Day on this very date. Then, in 1996, the WHO joined this union, along with other organizations to promote this day, thereby formally establishing the Stop TB Partnership in 1998. Together, they aim to fight and prevent Tuberculosis.

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How do people observe World TB Day?

On this day, various organizations around the world organize events and activities surrounding Tuberculosis. Organizations involved in the Stop TB Partnership work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to promote this day every year. Some of the activities and events they organize are:

Organize community discussions regarding ways to prevent tuberculosis.
Honor, award and reward those who have dedicated their lives in order to prevent and fight against this disease.
Photo exhibitions to promote images and thereby raise awareness of TB.
Charity events to raise funds for control of TB.

Check List Of Important Days & Dates Of The Year

Themes of World TB Day:

Every year, World TB Day addresses a different theme. Some of these themes are:

2000: Forging new partnerships to stop TB
2001: DOTS: TB cure for all
2002: Stop TB, fight poverty
2003: DOTS cured me- it will cure you too!
2004: Every breath counts- stop TB now!
2005: Frontline TB care providers: heroes in the fight against TB
2006: actions for life- towards a world free of TB
2007: TB anywhere is TB everywhere
2008-09: I am stopping TB
2010: Innovate to accelerate action
2011: Transforming the fight towards elimination
2012: Call for a world free of TB
2013: Stop TB in my lifetime
2014: Reach the three million: A TB test, treatment, and cure for all
2015: Gear up to end TB
2016: Unite to end TB
2017: Unite to end TB
2018: Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world
2019: It’s time
2020: “It’s time”

The theme for World TB Day 2021 is “’The Clock is Ticking” –conveys the sense that the world is running out of time to act on the commitments to end TB made by global leaders. This is especially critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that has put End TB progress at risk, and to ensure equitable access to prevention and care in line with WHO’s drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.