17/10/2024
Fighting Tuberculosis: SABATA Leads the Way in Awareness and Prevention
16 October 2024
Tuberculosis (TB) may seem like a disease of the past, but its presence remains very real in Malaysia and around the world. Recently, SABATA (Sabah Anti-Tuberculosis Association) Kota Kinabalu took a significant step in raising awareness by organizing a health program at SMK Tuan Fuad Stephen Kiulu, aimed at educating students about the disease. The event featured a keynote address by renowned medical consultant, Datuk Dr. Joseph Lee Han Kyun, who shared vital insights into the nature of tuberculosis, its transmission, and prevention methods.
The Global TB Challenge
Dr. Lee began by painting a grim picture of the global and national TB situation. Despite modern medical advances and the availability of vaccines, TB has not been eradicated. In fact, cases are on the rise, particularly in Malaysia. This is concerning, especially when we consider the availability of preventive measures such as the universal vaccination of newborns in Malaysia. While Malaysia has made significant strides in combatting the disease, the statistics show that local TB cases are still increasing, particularly among Malaysians.
Dr. Lee emphasized that the majority of new cases can be traced to illegal immigrants, whose lack of access to health screenings allows TB to spread unchecked. Legal immigrants, on the other hand, are required to undergo stringent health checks, including chest X-rays, to screen for tuberculosis and other diseases like HIV, malaria, and hepatitis.
How Tuberculosis Spreads
Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can also spread to other organs. The bacteria are airborne, making transmission frighteningly easy. Dr. Lee explained that the disease is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets containing the bacteria. In enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces, especially crowded areas, the risk of transmission rises significantly.
“TB spreads in much the same way as other airborne diseases, such as influenza or even COVID-19,” Dr. Lee pointed out. “Practicing good hygiene is key in curbing its spread.”
Symptoms and Types of Tuberculosis
Dr. Lee detailed the symptoms of TB, emphasizing that while it often affects the lungs, it can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, brain, and bones. Pulmonary TB, the most common form, typically presents as a persistent cough, often accompanied by sputum (phlegm) that contains the TB bacteria. Weight loss, fever, and night sweats are other common signs. The more dangerous form of TB, known as extrapulmonary TB, affects other organs and can sometimes go undetected because it doesn’t always cause the same noticeable symptoms as pulmonary TB.
In some cases, individuals may carry Mycobacterium tuberculosis without showing any symptoms, a condition known as latent TB. While latent TB is not immediately dangerous, it can become active later and cause serious health complications.
The Importance of Treatment and Adherence
Treating TB is a long and arduous process, consisting of two phases: an intensive two-month phase followed by a maintenance phase that can last up to six months. Dr. Lee highlighted the challenges in ensuring that patients complete their treatment, as the medications often cause side effects, leading many patients to abandon the regimen prematurely. This poses a significant problem, as incomplete treatment can lead to drug-resistant strains of TB.
To combat this, Malaysia has implemented a program known as Directly Observed Therapy (DOT). Under DOT, healthcare providers or trained family members supervise patients to ensure they take their medication correctly. This hands-on approach has proven successful in increasing treatment adherence and preventing the development of drug-resistant TB strains.
The Road Ahead
Dr. Lee concluded by expressing his hope that the knowledge shared during the program would resonate with the students and the wider community. He stressed the importance of vigilance in preventing the spread of TB, particularly through vaccination, personal hygiene, and early detection. “We hope that this knowledge will empower people to protect themselves and their loved ones, and eventually lead to the decline of TB cases in Sahbah and Malaysia as a whole,” Dr. Lee remarked.
The SABATA event, supported by local leaders and healthcare professionals, was a powerful reminder that while TB is preventable and treatable, it remains a persistent threat. Through education, awareness, and proper medical care, Malaysia can continue to work toward reducing the burden of tuberculosis and eventually eliminate it altogether.
As the students of SMK Tuan Fuad Stephen Kiulu left the event, they carried with them a greater understanding of a disease that is both ancient and modern—a disease that can be defeated with the right tools, knowledge, and community action.
