Each year, we commemorate World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating disease and overcome stigma. 

TB remains one of the world’s most dangerous infectious killers. According to the WHO official statistics nearly 10 million people worldwide are infected with TB every year. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis MDR-TB is especially dangerous for the public health. In 2019, 465,000 MDR-TB cases were reported. 

Global efforts to combat TB have saved 63 million lives since the year 2000. The theme of World TB Day 2021 – „The Clock is Ticking“ conveys the sense that the world is running out of time to act on the commitments to end TB made by global leaders.

Various events were organized across the country. A notable procession promoted by the TSMU students, National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease residents, non-governmental organization representatives and Red Cross volunteers started from the Rustaveli Metro Station towards Freedom Square. The participants were disseminating informational materials. 

On the same day, a tree planting event was held by the students and residents around the National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Center.