Diocese seeks to raise TB awareness

Officials voice alarm over increase in number of infections in province

Published: January 11, 2012 05:57 AM GMT

Updated: October 26, 2023 09:32 AM GMT

Maumere diocese in East Nusa Tenggara province has started offering awareness programs to local people after an alarming increase in the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the area. The first took place on Monday with around 100 people attending a discussion on TB prevention, organized by the diocese branch of the Association of Voluntary Health Services of Indonesia (Perdhaki)in the hall of its Pastoral Center building.

According to the head of the diocese branch of the association, Father Yulius Caesar Reda, Perdhaki is working with the diocese’s Commission for Health, Sikka district’s health service, and the TC Hillers Hospital in offering the awareness program. “We will be offering advice in all 35 parishes in this diocese,” he said, adding that particular attention will be paid to newlyweds and engaged couples so that they can live a healthy family life in the future.

TC Hillers Hospital data revealed that about 2,000 people in the area suffer from TB each year. Nationwide about 31,000 people contract the disease annually. Related Report: Clinic counsels on TB prevention.

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