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There should be no let-up in the community's fight against tuberculosis (TB), which was still a public health challenge in Hong Kong despite its improved notification rates over the years.
Speaking today (March 24) at a ceremony to mark the annual World TB Day, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, said that there were about 6,000 notified cases each year in Hong Kong, with a rate of about 90 cases per 100,000 population.
He said Hong Kong was located in Asia which had high incidences of TB. In the West Pacific Region alone, there are two million new cases every year, accounting for one fourth of the world's total cases. Therefore, sustained efforts should be made against TB and adjusted in accordance with the latest development.
Public support and co-operation was very important in the fight to eliminate the disease.
To prevent TB, people should build up their bodily resistance by getting adequate rest and exercise. They should adhere to a balanced diet and watch out for the relevant health information.
The Government would continue to fine-tune and strengthen its strategy and mechanism in controlling TB, as well as maintain close collaboration with the World Health Organisation and other local and international organisations with an aim to reduce the TB burden in Hong Kong, Dr Chow said.
Echoing Dr Chow's remarks, Acting Director of Health, Dr PY Leung said that long-term strategic measures were necessary to control the worldwide problem of TB.
"The major measures adopted by the department include the Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) for TB patients, contact tracing and detection of TB cases," Dr Leung said.
"To further control the spread of TB, the department has also provided medicines to the appropriate patients' family members who were infected to minimise the chance of development of the disease.
"Health tips on the prevention of TB and latest professional manual on TB were uploaded onto website regularly by DH to help control the disease and improve the standard of its treatment."
Dr Leung said the World Health Organisation last month formally designated the department's TB Reference Laboratory as a Supranational Tuberculosis (TB) Reference Laboratory to assist in the formulation of technical standard and training for professionals here and in the neighbouring regions.
"This honour is an international recognition of Hong Kong's persistent efforts to eliminate TB," he said.
Dr Leung also thanked the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association, the Hospital Authority and the relevant parties for their efforts and contribution in combating TB.
Today's ceremony marked the launching of a range of health educational and promotional activities to mobilise public support against TB.
More information on TB is available from the department's Tuberculosis and Chest Service hotline at 2572 6024. Members of the public an also visit the website jointly developed by the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority at http://www.info.gov.hk/tb_chest or the WHO website at http://www.who.int/gtb.
Ends/Friday, March 24, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:10
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