2pc increase in TB deaths last year, says health minister
Last year, 2,623 deaths due to tuberculosis (TB) were recorded, a two per cent increase of 51 cases compared with 2022, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
In a statement for World TB Day yesterday, he said 26,781 cases were reported last year, an increase of 1,390 cases or 5.47 per cent compared with 25,391 cases the previous year.
“Tuberculosis continues to pose a major disease burden in Malaysia. The statistics are worrisome and adversely affect the quality of life for the Malaysian population.
“With the availability of curative TB treatments, efforts to detect and initiate early treatment need to be intensified,” Dr Dzulkefly said.
He said TB was an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affecting the lungs (pulmonary TB), although other organs such as the brain (meningitis TB), spine (spinal TB), lymph nodes (lymph node TB), and abdomen (abdominal TB) can also be infected.
TB symptoms include persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss and coughing up blood.
“Misconceptions surrounding tuberculosis symptoms, such as attributing them to sorcery, witchcraft or hereditary diseases, must be dispelled.
Dr Dzulkefly said: “This is to ensure that those experiencing symptoms promptly seek examination and treatment at clinics and hospitals.
“Those at high risk of contracting tuberculosis — such as HIV
patients, chronic kidney disease patients, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sufferers, smokers, and individuals in contact with tuberculosis cases — must also undergo screening,” he said.
He said TB treatment involved a combination of antibiotics taken daily for at least six months, and advised patients to adhere to the treatment schedule and discuss any problems or side effects with their treatment supervisor.
Patients who stopped or refused to continue treatment might face legal action under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), he added.
“It is the aspiration and hope of the nation that tuberculosis ceases to be an infectious disease in society by the year 2035, aligning with the ‘Stop TB Strategy’ by the World Health Organisation.
“To achieve this, high commitment and close cooperation among individuals, communities and agencies are crucial,” he said.
World TB Day is commemorated on March 24 annually, with this year’s theme being “Yes! We Can End TB”.
The theme calls for the support and commitment of all to mobilise efforts and increase investment to eradicate TB .