<i>TB claims 64,000 a year </i>
Says NTP report
Around 64,000 people die due to tuberculosis while 3.3 lakh get infected afresh every year in Bangladesh, said a report of the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP).
Of the total infected people, over 50 percent are female while 3.15 percent are children aged below 15 years, the report said.
NTP Consultant Dr Mujibur Rahman disseminated the information at the Annual Conference on Tuberculosis-2012 organised by the National Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Bangladesh (NATAB) at LGED auditorium in the city yesterday.
Dr Rahman stressed the need for involving community leaders and civil society members to raise awareness on the disease.
Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed, while addressing as the chief guest, said more efficient coordination mechanism between the government bodies and non-government organisations is needed to address the issue.
He also urged the young generation to refrain from smoking to avoid getting infected with tuberculosis.
"Teachers, students and civil-society members will have to play a more responsible role to discourage young people from smoking," he said.
State Minister for Health Dr Mozibur Rahman Fakir said the government is working hard to ensure better treatment for people.
He said around 12,000 community clinics are active across the country to provide health care to rural people.
"We have already appointed 13,000 new health care providers to work in these community clinics," he added.
NATAB central executive committee Senior Vice President Muzaffar Hossain Paltu chaired the function while its Joint Secretary Khai Uddin Ahmed Mukul, among others, also spoke there.
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