Ministry rolls out nationwide anti-tuberculosis campaign
FOCUS ON EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND PROPER TREATMENT TO ERADICATE DISEASE IN UAE
Two years after the UAE eased residency rules for people with active tuberculosis (TB) and old scars, the Ministry of Health and Prevention is launching a nationwide campaign to educate people about the highly infectious disease.
Incidence of TB in the UAE is considered low at 0.79 per 100,000 inhabitants compared to other countries, down from 4.2 per 100,000 in 2000, according to the Global Tuberculosis Report. Nevertheless, the ministry said the UAE is committed to eradicating the disease completely.
The campaign is being held ahead of a high-level meeting of the United Nations on September 26 in New York City. Countries will discuss their commitment to anti-TB campaigns and achieving the target of TB elimination by 2050.
TB was among the communicable diseases that could be a cause for mandatory deportation in the UAE years ago. This, however, was changed in 2016 when the UAE announced it is scrapping immediate deportation for residents found with active TB or old scars.
Residents applying for visa renewal and found to have the illness were allowed to have a oneyear conditional stay in the UAE provided they underwent a strict treatment protocol.
If they tested free of TB after treatment, they will be allowed to stay in the UAE. However, the applications of individuals for a new residency visa will be rejected if they test positive.
A resident’s first-degree relatives with active or non-active TB will also be given the same visa if compliant with treatment protocol. Similar one-year conditional residency will also be given to diplomats and those who come on investor visa.
The campaign, which will run until November in Dubai and northern emirates, will educate the public about TB, which, despite being infectious, is fully treatable if the appropriate treatment method is applied.
Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centres and Clinics at the ministry, affirmed the importance of intensifying efforts and cooperation with all health institutions and strategic partners in the country to control the prevalence of TB as a communicable disease.
Increasing awareness
The ministry has an integrated strategy to combat TB by enhancing individual awareness and identifying the symptoms of TB, and ways to prevent it.
Dr Nada Al Marzouqi, Director of Preventive Medicine Department at the ministry, said the they have drawn up strategies, especially in the areas of prevention and early detection.
“[The strategies focus on] familiarising individuals with the preventive and therapeutic procedures taken by the ministry in cooperation with health institutions and health service providers, such as activation of shortterm treatment systems under direct supervision and the provision of free medicines to all residents in the country and follow up of the patients in the primary care centers until full recovery,” Dr Al Marzouqi said.