By Amina Abdul Salam CAIRO, April 8, 2018 - The Association Against Smoking, Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Egypt, Headed by Dr Essam Moghazi, Consultant in Chest Diseases, marked World Tuberculosis Day at the sports grounds in Al Azmarat district, Mokattam, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation. The event aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of fighting this disease through presenting information about tuberculosis, highlighting the current situation in Egypt and providing information on the causes of this disease, its symptoms and ways to avoid it. The event coincided with World Tuberculosis Day on March 24. Although much has been achieved in conquering this disease since the German scientist Robert Koch discovered its cause in 1882 as well as the progress made on its treatment in the last two decades, tuberculosis (TB)still comes on top of the list of fatal and infectious illnesses worldwide. It kills 4,500 people daily, according to the World Health Organisation. The event was attended by hundreds of people from the Asmarat district, including a large number of children and executives. The female entertainer Darren Farghali, and soccer player Tamer Bagato also attended. The event began with a marathon in which all attendees participated. Dr Alaa Hashish of the World Health Organisation bureau in Egypt, then spoke on means of fighting tuberculosis and the hepatitis C virus. Tuberculosis patients can receive treatment at the Hospital for Chest Diseases free of charge, according to Dr Hashish. According to Dr Wagdi Abdel Moneim, Director General of the Chest Diseases Department, the Ministry of Health was applying a plan to overcome tuberculosis in Egypt by 2030. There are 15 cases in every 100 thousand people according to the reports of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Ministry provides TB patients with medicines free of charge.
