In order to help the public gain a better understanding of tuberculosis (TB) and learn how to prevent this deadly infectious disease, as well as to strengthen the effectiveness of Taiwan Centers for Diseases Control’s (Taiwan CDC) Reduction of Tuberculosis by Half in Ten Years plan, Taiwan CDC is organizing a Stop TB Traveling Fair, which is scheduled to be on display at China Medical University Hospital in Taichung City from May 13 through May 22, 2008.

According to data released by the Taiwan CDC, Taichung City reported 679 new cases of TB in 2004.By 2007, that number of new TB cases reported had dropped to 545—a significant achievement that puts Taichung City well on its way to meeting the goals of the Reduction of Tuberculosis by Half in Ten Years plan.Taichung City Mayor, Jason Hu, commended seven of the city’s outstanding DOTS workers for their work in the war against TB.

To further strengthen its TB prevention efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2006, announced its Stop TB strategy, which seeks, among other things, to establish a global TB-prevention network, and to reduce, by 2015, the prevalence of and death due to TB by 50% relative to 1990.On World TB Day, Taiwan CDC and Global Stop TB Partnership issued the〝You and Me Together, We Are Stopping TB. Say Goodbye To TB〞 pronouncement, which called on people not to fear TB, to seek early diagnosis when TB symptoms appear, and to treat TB early to prevent further transmission.The initial focus of the Half in Ten Years plan’s prevention efforts is on expanding and enhancing the DOTS program to improve drug compliance among TB patients and to prevent further spread of the deadly disease.In the DOTS program, DOTS workers are responsible for ensuring that TB patients take appropriate dosages of anti-TB medicines at the appropriate times, which have proven to be effective at increasing TB cure rates.

Among participants at the Stop TB Traveling Fair Kick-Off event held in Taichung on Tuesday was the oldest DOTS worker in Taichung City, Mr. Hua-dong Lai.In November 2007, Mr. Lai experienced an obstruction in a small vessel in his brain en route to one of his patients, and, despite his discomfort, he completed his DOTS rounds before seeking medical help for himself.Fortunately, the obstruction was not life-threatening, and Mr. Lai continues, to this day, to show the same dedication to the DOTS program.

Another DOTS hero on hand at the May 13 event was Mr. Qing-yan Chen—a retired medical care worker.Mr. Chen relishes the challenge of taking on the most stubborn patients.He derives the most satisfaction from seeing meaningful changes in their behavior—from refusing to take their anti-TB drugs as scheduled to strictly complying to their dosage schedule.Mr. Chen has been a DOTS worker since November 2007, and has overseen 20 patients—many of whom have become his personal friends.

Mayor Hu had high praise for all DOTS volunteers, noting that they bear many hardships themselves without any complaints while performing their important and life-saving duties.Their dedication is an important factor in the reduced TB incidence rate and the increased healthiness of Taichung City.

The Stop TB Traveling Fair has six main exhibits:The TB Prevention Maze, The Magic Stop TB Carousel, The TB Cases Free-Fall, The DOTS Express Train, The Stop TB International Cooperation Balloon, and The TB Prevention Video Experience.Through these entertaining exhibits, people can learn all the information they need to know about TB, including the history and current status of the Half in Ten Years program in Taiwan and around the world.People of all ages are invited to attend the Stop TB Traveling Fair and learn more about how you can help stop TB.

In the near future, the Stop TB Traveling Fair will be moved to Kaohsiung City, Hualien County, Chiayi City and Taoyuan County for display.