King Abdul Aziz Medical City - Jeddah, represented by the Department of Infection Prevention and Control and in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Control Program and King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences launched the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2017 under the slogan "Together against TB" on Sunday, the 19th of March 2017. The event was held with the participation of doctors and consultants of various disciplines, coinciding with the anniversary of the tuberculosis virus discovery, which is one of the most vital causes of death amongst infectious diseases.
The aim of the conference is to raise the awareness levels of community members, health care workers and medical personnel as well as the TB prevention efforts,. In addition, it aims to discuss medical and diagnostic developments related to TB in all age groups, and focus on practices and behaviors to combat the disease and reduce its spread in health facilities. Also, to activate the TB program for the patients to be under direct supervision to follow up on their health and to ensure their commitment and response to treatment.
Moreover, various scientific papers aimed at raising the awareness levels of the medical staff were highlighted to cover several topics such as tuberculosis epidemiology including:
Active and latent tuberculosis
Tuberculosis treatment and the related global recommendations
Tuberculosis treatment under direct supervision
Tuberculosis Diagnosis of by radiation and the path of medical laboratories
Tuberculosis in children
The National Tuberculosis Control Program
Tuberculosis National Guard Program
Management of TB patients in hospitals and healthcare centers workshop
Tuberculosis medications workshop
Tuberculosis patients clinical nutrition workshop
Skin sensitivity screening to detect tuberculosis workshop
Head of the Organizing Committee, Deputy Associate Executive Director of the Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Dr. Asem Assaedi, said that the correct knowledge about TB and how to prevent it is a top priority for combating such disease.
Public Health Consultant, Dr. Faisal Farhat, also explained that although the disease is being fully treated, there are challenges to eradicate it, most importantly, the lack of the patient’s commitment during the course of treatment prescribed by the doctors, which led to the spread of the disease and the emergence of what we call, the disease resistance to treatment.
Furthermore, TB Coordinator in the Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Ms. Abeer Al-Nimri, stated that the most important goals of the Tuberculosis Program in King Abdulaziz Medical City - Jeddah are to provide integrated treatment services for TB patients until they are fully recovered, as well as screen those who are close to the patient to take the necessary measures in order for us to protect them from infection and stop the spread of the disease.
It’s worth mentioning that the this event was accredited by CME Hours by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS).