Muscat: The Sultanate’s Ministry of Health (MoH) launched today [Wednesday, 24 March] the National Strategy to Eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) in conjunction with World TB Day, which falls on March 24.

This year’s global theme – which is entitled ‘It’s time to end TB’ – by the World Health Organization (WHO) was locally launched under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, the Minister of Health, and in the presence of Dr. John Jabbour, World Health Organisation Representative to the Sultanate along with a number of senior officials.

Every year, the Sultanate participates in the celebration of World TB Day on 24 March to raise public awareness of the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of TB and intensify the efforts to end it.

World TB Day coincides with the same day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of the tuberculosis-causing bacteria, paving the way for its diagnosis and treatment.

In this regard, H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, the Minister of Health pointed out that the number of TB cases registered in the Sultanate decreased over the last ten years.

In 2019, the number of infected cases slightly increased and this was attributed to the accuracy of diagnostic tools in the Sultanate. He added that most of the cases are among expatriates despite the examinations carried out for them before their entry into the Sultanate.

The Minister of Health stressed that the Sultanate pursued the diagnosis and treatment of the expatriates infected with TB for free, which contributed to reducing the domestic spread of the disease. He indicated that as for the Omanis, TB was among the advanced age groups and those who infected with other chronic diseases.

Al-Saidi clarified that the Sultanate is one of the few countries and the only country in the East Mediterranean Region that was chosen to be a model in the elimination of TB.

He added that through cooperation with the WHO and other sectors, this strategy develops a roadmap to eliminate tuberculosis prior to 2035.

Dr. Ahmed also pointed out that, in 2019 in a high-level meeting held in New York, the Sultanate had been chosen to be among three states to eliminate tuberculosis.

Moreover, Dr. John Jabbour, WHO Representative to the Sultanate, stated that the Sultanate is one of the countries with a low rate of TB infection, which is considered as a chance for cooperation, combined efforts, and harnessing and available potentials to achieve the goal of elimination of TB in the Sultanate.

According to the WHO, tuberculosis remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, with more than 4,000 people dying every day and nearly 30,000 others become ill, prompting the United Nations to include the eradication of TB initiative among the health goals set out in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Tuberculosis in Oman

Oman is among the countries with the lowest incidence rates – less than 10 cases per 100,000 people (8/100,000 in 2019), following a decrease rate of almost 2 per cent in the past 10 years.

The aim through the National Strategy to Eliminate Tuberculosis, which will be implemented in stages is to reduce the incidence rate to less than 100 per million by 2035 to reach the pre-elimination phase of tuberculosis by reducing the incidence rate by 90 per cent and mortality rate by 95 per cent compared to the epidemiological situation in 2015.

This includes providing effective laboratory tests with great sensitivity and specificity that helps to speed up the diagnosis of the disease within hours of taking the sample, as well as providing appropriate treatment for patients and contacts diagnosed with latent TB.

In view of Oman’s efforts in this regard, which have been characterized by the low incidence rates and high level of health care services for infected patients, and their contacts, WHO cited the Sultanate as ‘one of the most interesting experiences in the Eastern Mediterranean region’.

The boom in the fields of science and technology and the employment of modern technologies in medicine have resulted in the reduction of several infectious diseases that had been notorious for killing thousands of people.

However, some of these diseases, which have been known since ancient times, are still present today, which leads us all to join hands in order to rid humanity of it and to save people from destruction, taking advantage of the energies and capabilities of individuals and governments that have now surpassed what they were in the past.

As per the Ministry, TB, which is one of the most prominent infectious diseases present among us to date is caused by the bacterium tuberculosis – a disease that can affect the respiratory system or some other organs such as the nervous system, bones, gastrointestinal system, and lymphatic system.

How Is Tuberculosis Transmitted?

TB is transmitted from person to person through exposure to infectious secretions emitted from the infected person during sneezing, coughing, speech, or singing.

Preeminent symptoms that raise the suspicion of tuberculosis in a person includes prolonged fever for two weeks or more, cough that is accompanied by occasional blood discharge, night sweats, significant weight loss, and a lack of appetite.

Infected persons may show other symptoms related to the different organs mentioned above that may become affected. It should also be noted that there are two known types of tuberculosis: the first is active tuberculosis, which is the emergence of symptoms of the disease after exposure to tuberculosis bacteria and its seriousness lie in the exacerbation of complications if it is not detected and treated; and latent tuberculosis, in which case, the person becomes carrier of the TB bacteria without any appearance of the disease’s symptoms. The concern of this type is that it can become active if it is not treated.

How To Prevent the spread of TB?

– Report to the health institution immediately after feeling symptoms to speed up the detection of the disease, treatment of the patient, and follow-up contacts; and treat those with active TB or to provide treatment to those with latent TB.

– Adhere to the treatment plan, which consists of a six months course of medicines for the treatment of the disease. This period may exceed based on the infected organs, the patient’s response, and other factors determined by the doctors.

– Adhere to the preventive measures while the patient is in the health institution; such as providing an isolation room, wearing N95 breathing mask when treating the patient. Additionally, apply the preventive measures while the patient is with family or in public places, such as the use of tissue or elbow when sneezing or coughing, and continuing hand washing.

– The most important awareness message to be shared and transmitted among people in the community is that TB is a preventable, treatable, and curable disease. Moreover, an end to the stigma and discrimination caused by tuberculosis should be promoted. TB can only be ended through the concerted efforts of all, and let our motto be ‘It’s Time To End TB’.