World Tuberculosis Day 2021

World Tuberculosis Day is a universal event that aims to raise public cognizance of tuberculosis and the exertions made to avert and treat this disease. This event is held on March 24 each year and is promoted by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

The theme of World TB Day 2021 is ‘The Clock is Ticking’ –conveys the sense that the world is running out of time to act on the commitments to end TB made by global leaders. This is especially critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that has put End TB progress at risk, and to ensure impartial access to prevention and care in line with WHO’s drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a communicable bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most frequently affects the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the disease.

World Tuberculosis Day, annually held on March 24, marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch detected the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. This was the first step towards diagnosing and curing tuberculosis. World Tuberculosis Day can be traced back to 1982, when the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease launched World TB Day on March 24 that year, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Dr. Koch’s discovery.