5 April 2016 – In the week leading up to World TB Day, commemorated each year on 24 March, the national tuberculosis control programme in Iraq launched a TB awareness-raising campaign. This year’s World TB Day commemorations in Iraq involved health organizations, governmental and nongovernmental organizations and university student volunteers. This year, the focus of the Day was on progress since last year in achieving the country’s long-term vision of stopping TB in this generation’s lifetime.
National TB programme focal points gave interviews on TV channels in which they explained more about the disease to people, including the importance of infection control. These televised broadcasts reached as many as 34 million people across the country. Symposiums took place that aimed to raise awareness of TB among university and college students, general medical practitioners and nongovernmental organizations. This national campaign was coupled with grass roots activities designed to reinforce the messages at the individual and community levels, through coordination with the Iraqi Youth Directorate. Football matches were played in which the players used a football that displayed information on the signs and symptoms of TB.
On the Day, under the theme; “#UnitetoEndTB” people from different backgrounds also gathered at the national tuberculosis control programme centre to show their solidarity in eradicating this disease.
An advocacy and awareness-raising gallery was opened during the opening ceremony of World TB Day, followed by a press conference attended by many journalists from leading national media channels. All stakeholders involved in the fight against TB in Iraq were there. WHO’s Dr Obaid-Ul-Islam Butt from the WHO Iraq country office read the message of the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediteranean Dr Ala Alwan. In his message, Dr Alwan said it was important to adopt a mix of proven strategies and innovative approaches to stop the TB epidemic until the goal of eradicating TB in Iraq and the world was achieved.
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5 April 2016 – In the week leading up to World TB Day, commemorated each year on 24 March, the national tuberculosis control programme in Iraq launched a TB awareness-raising campaign. This year’s World TB Day commemorations in Iraq involved health organizations, governmental and nongovernmental organizations and university student volunteers. This year, the focus of the Day was on progress since last year in achieving the country’s long-term vision of stopping TB in this generation’s lifetime.
National TB programme focal points gave interviews on TV channels in which they explained more about the disease to people, including the importance of infection control. These televised broadcasts reached as many as 34 million people across the country. Symposiums took place that aimed to raise awareness of TB among university and college students, general medical practitioners and nongovernmental organizations. This national campaign was coupled with grass roots activities designed to reinforce the messages at the individual and community levels, through coordination with the Iraqi Youth Directorate. Football matches were played in which the players used a football that displayed information on the signs and symptoms of TB.
On the Day, under the theme; “#UnitetoEndTB” people from different backgrounds also gathered at the national tuberculosis control programme centre to show their solidarity in eradicating this disease.
An advocacy and awareness-raising gallery was opened during the opening ceremony of World TB Day, followed by a press conference attended by many journalists from leading national media channels. All stakeholders involved in the fight against TB in Iraq were there. WHO’s Dr Obaid-Ul-Islam Butt from the WHO Iraq country office read the message of the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediteranean Dr Ala Alwan. In his message, Dr Alwan said it was important to adopt a mix of proven strategies and innovative approaches to stop the TB epidemic until the goal of eradicating TB in Iraq and the world was achieved.
Related images
