In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day clinicians from the CDC held an awareness campaign on the Corniche on Friday, 22 March, providing members of the public with information about TB and conducting basic health checks. This week awareness events were also held at Hamad General Hospital, the Communicable Disease Center, Heart Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, the Women’s Wellness and Research Center, and Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital.
Communicable Disease Center (CDC) screened nearly 11,500 people for tuberculosis (TB) in 2018. In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day, observed on 24 March, the CDC’s Medical Director says the organization is continuing to work to educate the community about TB as part of ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease.
“The CDC is the region’s first hospital dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases and in 2018 we screened nearly 11,500 patients for TB who were referred from HMC facilities, primary care centers, the Medical Commission, private hospitals, and Qatar Red Crescent health centers,” said Dr. Muna Al Maslamani, Medical Director of the CDC.
In 2018 there were a total of 1,271 admissions to the CDC’s specialized TB wards – an increase of more than 70 percent from 2017. Dr. Al Maslamani said the increase in TB patients is a result of the country’s growing population and greater awareness about the condition.
