World Tuberculosis Day is commemorated on March 24 every year.This year happens to be the fifth year the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) has promoted the “Mobilization Plan to Halve Tuberculosis Incidence in Ten Years”.According to the statistical data collected by Taiwan CDC, the TB incidence rate in Taiwan has shown a steady decline.The number of new TB cases reported in 2010 is 13,200 (57.0 new cases per 100,000 population), reflecting a 22% drop in the number of new cases since 2005.

This year, Taiwan CDC has adopted “Fight TB with 100% Determination” as the focus of its World TB Day (March 24) campaign, which urges the public to support and encourage treatment adherence to control tuberculosis.To commemorate World TB Day 2011, Taiwan CDC has kicked off a series of activities.Taiwan CDC has sought more efforts and participation from TB specialists, DOTS (directly observed treatment, short-course) workers and recovered TB patients in the “Mobilization Plan to Halve Tuberculosis Incidence in Ten Years”. Taiwan CDC has invited one of the Time 100 for year 2010 in the Heroes category and one of the 48 heroes of Philanthropy by Forbes Asia, Ms. Shu-Chu Chen, who was infected with TB a decade ago to share her firsthand experience with the disease. With the alertness of the primary care physician, the assistance of the TB specialist, Dr. Jen-Jyh Lee, the support of her family, Ms. Chen was able to complete her TB treatment.To express her gratitude to Dr. Lee, Ms. Chen encourages all TB patients to receive and complete TB treatment.Taiwan CDC has invited Dr. Lee to attend a press conference to remind the public the importance of TB contact follow-up and TB treatment adherence.

Mr. Jian-Sheng Yang from Guangfu Township, Hualien County whose wife became infected with TB 6 years ago and died because of failing to complete the treatment, passing the disease to her three children, works as a DOTS worker.For the past five years, Mr. Yang has been riding his motorcycle to deliver and administer medicines to over 80 TB patients across Guangfu Township, Hualien County in order to help them complete their treatment and recoverrecover from TB.

The Director-General of Taiwan CDC, Dr. Feng-Yee Chang, states that the number of contacts of confirmed TB cases being examined has been increasing over the recent five years, which is truly inspirational.Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement.Taiwan CDC will ensure its efforts to eliminate TB, including DOTS, the “Mobilization Plan to Halve Tuberculosis Incidence in Ten Years” and strengthening TB contact tracing and latent TB infection treatment, continue.