Every day, almost 4.400 people die as a result of tuberculosis – considered one of the deadliest infections in the world. About 30.000 people get sick from this disease every day, according to data from the World Health Organization. In Macedonia, in the last 15 years, a continuous decrease in the number of new patients has been observed. As of 2019, we are in the group of countries with a low incidence, which has less than ten cases per 100.000 inhabitants.

This year, WHO under the motto "Yes!" We Can End Tuberculosis", marks March 24 – World Tuberculosis Day and aims to encourage political commitment, that is, for countries to step up progress in the run-up to the United Nations TB meeting in 2023.

On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, the Ministry of Health appeals that the BcG vaccine protects against severe forms of tuberculosis and is safe and effective, especially for children.

Symptoms such as fever, cough, night sweats or weight loss are characteristic of this infection and may be light-unrecognizable for several months. The disease usually damages the lungs, but sometimes it can also damage other parts of the body, for example, the lymph glands, kidneys, bones. The Ministry says that if a person has an active form of tuberculosis, immediate treatment, isolation, following the recommendations of a health person, and regular hand washing after coughing or sneezing are required.

The director of the hospital for lung diseases in children "Kozle", Dr Besnik Zeqiri, in a statement to MIA, says that in the Institute, they have an average of 10 to 12 children each year. Currently, six children are being treated in hospital and all are in stable condition.

Tuberculosis was discovered in 1882 by the German physician Robert Koch. World Tuberculosis Day is observed every year on March 24 to raise awareness of tuberculosis and efforts to end the global epidemic.