Selangor Journal
Dr Siti Mariah wants to draw up policies that are realistic and practical — Picture by ASRI SAPFIE/SELANGORKINI

RM1 mln for TB treatment incentive programme

By Sheeda Fathil

SHAH ALAM, March 25 — The Selangor government has allocated RM1 million to continue the Tuberculosis (TB) treatment incentive programme this year.

State executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said through the allocation, a total of 2,000 patients suffering from TB would be able to receive treatment.

She said many people are still unaware of the dangers of the infectious disease.

“One of the causes for the spread of TB is due to the patient’s failure to seek treatment within six months.

“In order to curb the spread of this illness, I urge the public to make use of the programme offered by the state government by undergoing followup treatment,” she told SelangorKini, yesterday.

Dr Siti Mariah said the local authorities are also working to expand the role of the state’s Public Health Unit.

“They cannot just focus on health checks at the premises but must also organise programmes to raise awareness or preventive measures,” she added.

At the same time, Dr Siti Mariah also conveyed her wishes in conjunction with World TB Day which falls on March 24 every year.

The World TB Day is celebrated as a historical day to commemorate the discovery of the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria by Dr Robert Koch on March 24, 1882.

The purpose of the event is to raise awareness, commitment as well as support among various parties towards the prevention and control efforts of the disease at a national scale.

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