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APBCA: Helping Workplaces Stop TB

The World Health Organisation states that TB is also a leading cause of death among people who are infected with HIV. Approximately one-third of the 33.2 million people living with HIV also have TB. Without proper treatment, approximately 90 percent of people living with HIV die within two to three months of contracting TB. A further concern is that in some cases TB is becoming difficult to treat due to the emergence of drug resistant TB strains (multi-drug resistant TB). This poses a serious public health challenge for countries already struggling to meet community health needs. This is also a worrying development for people living with HIV.

TB is a major cause of illness and mortality in the Asia-Pacific region. Almost half of the 22 countries most heavily affected by TB are from this region. India, China and Indonesia carry large TB burdens. In the Pacific, PNG is heavily affected. Low awareness and misinformation about TB means a strong stigma afflicts people with TB.

The workplace is an ideal place to conduct TB education programs. The APBCA network is promoting TB education in conjunction with its HIV programs. The Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS and PNG BAHA have started educating businesses and their employees about how to prevent TB and manage the condition through the DOTS program. Workplaces with good policies and programs can ensure employees with TB can live long and productive lives. Maintaining workers with TB saves employers money and enables employees to continue supporting their families and contributing economically to their communities.

In 2009, APBCA will increase the focus on workplace TB interventions and will share the network's stories about companies' experiences responding to TB.

More information:

• http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/globalhealth/index.htm
• http://www.baha.com.pg/tuberculosis_poster.htm
• http://www.worldtbday.org/
• http://www.stoptb.org/