Fiji President launches World TB Day - Rabi TB Hot Spot

[Stacey King]

FIJIVILLAGE.COM Publish date/time: 24/03/2011 [15:01] President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who is also a leading advocate in the fight against HIV and Aids, has today stressed that it has become vital to curb the spread of these killer viruses if we are to win the battle against tuberculosis. While launching World Tuberculosis Day and the Ministry of Health’s Nationwide TB Awareness campaign in Suva this morning, Ratu Nailatikau stated that the statistics on HIV and Aids and TB cases in Fiji is terrifying. There is an audio file attached to this story. Please login to listen. The President also called on the Health Ministry to prepare for possible multi drug resistant TB which is yet to be recorded in Fiji but poses a major threat. There is an audio file attached to this story. Please login to listen. Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma revealed that the areas identified as TB hot spots include Qauia in Lami, Jittu Estate in Samabula, Caubati in Nasinu, peri-urban areas of Labasa and Rabi Island. Story by: Roneel Lal