Tuberculosis is not only the world’s top infectious killer, it is also the leading cause of deaths among people with HIV and a major cause of antimicrobial resistance-related deaths, the United Nations health agency said on World Tuberculosis Day.
As TB is contagious and airborne, migrants are among the high-risk vulnerable groups, according to the UN International Organiszation for Migration (IOM). IOM pointed out that many work in dangerous, difficult jobs, and live in sub-standard housing. Others may be detained in over-crowded detention facilities or live in refugee or internally displaced persons camps.
Moreover, migrants face language, administrative and cultural barriers in accessing health services and are often excluded from social protection and universal health coverage programmes. As a result, those who pay out-of-pocket for health services can end with catastrophic health expenditures and substandard care.
“It’s time for inclusion of migrants!” IOM spelled out, urging that ambitious goals be set for successful treatments with accountable TB commitments. Each March 24, the world commemorates TB Day to raise awareness of the devastating health, social and economic consequences of the disease, and to step up efforts to end the global epidemic.
It marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced his discovery of the bacterium that causes TB – opening the way towards diagnosing and curing this infection.
