World TB Day 2008 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region:
highlights
World TB Day, 24 March, a day to honour the contributions of
all and renew commitment to the global fight against
tuberculosis (TB), was commemorated with enthusiasm across
the Eastern Mediterranean Region. National programmes,
private sector institutions, nongovernmental organizations,
civil society and the corporate sector organized seminars,
walks and workshops, printed special newspaper supplements
and arranged television segments. Below are highlights of
activities carried out in different countries of the
Region.
Afghanistan: Afghanistan organized a workshop entitled
“Voices of the unheard:women and TB”. The Guest of
Honour was Anna Cataldi, Stop TB Ambassador, who attended
along with the Deputy Minister of Health of Pakistan, a
large number of tuberculosis activists, media, donors and
government officials. Recommendations were drafted to
improve the existing interventions and control the rising
number of female tuberculosis patients.
Egypt: Egypt marked World TB Day with exclusive sessions
with television and radio artists, producers and directors
and held seminars at national and governorate levels. For
the first time, leading actors and actresses took the stage
to commit their time and efforts for tuberculosis awareness.
A technical conference on tuberculosis and lung health was
organized by a leading civil society organization under the
auspices of the President. In collaboration with the
Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health and Population,
health education sessions were organized in prisons and slum
areas. Nongovernmental organizations also participated in
the commemoration of World TB Day.
Saudi Arabia: In addition to other activities of the
Ministry of Health, for the first time a corporate retail
chain partnered with the tuberculosis control programme and
WHO in Saudi Arabia to organize a special tuberculosis
awareness campaign on World TB Day. The arrangements
included free medical examinations at chain malls, expert
lectures on communicable disease, health
education tips and surprise give-aways for the entire day.
Pakistan: Pakistan celebrated World TB Day with day-long
live television and radio broadcasts on national networks
exclusively focused on tuberculosis, as well as walks and
seminars in the capital and other cities, news editorials
and special news supplements. Tuberculosis awareness
messages were prominently displayed on banners and
billboards in major cities. High-level Ministry of Health
officials attended the ceremonies held on this occasion.
Sudan: Sudan organized a number of activities to mark
World TB Day. The First Lady of Sudan paid a visit to a
tuberculosis health facility and participated in World TB
Day celebrations, during which she committed herself to work
more for the cause of tuberculosis control. In addition,
football matches, seminars and walks were held in the
capital and in provinces.
Other countries also arranged similar activities
highlighting the global fight against tuberculosis, under
the slogan “I am Stopping TB”.
Afghanistan: Afghanistan organized a workshop entitled
“Voices of the unheard: women and TB”. The Guest of
Honour was Anna Cataldi, Stop TB Ambassador, who attended
along with the Deputy Minister of Health of Pakistan, a
large number of tuberculosis activists, media, donors and
government officials. Recommendations were drafted to
improve the existing interventions and control the rising
number of female tuberculosis patients. 
Egypt: Egypt marked World TB Day with exclusive sessions
with television and radio artists, producers and directors
and held seminars at national and governorate levels. For
the first time, leading actors and actresses took the stage
to commit their time and efforts for tuberculosis awareness.
A technical conference on tuberculosis and lung health was
organized by a leading civil society organization under the
auspices of the President. In collaboration with the
Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health and Population,
health education sessions were organized in prisons and slum
areas. Nongovernmental organizations also participated in
the commemoration of World TB Day. 
Saudi Arabia: In addition to other activities of the
Ministry of Health, for the first time a corporate retail
chain partnered with the tuberculosis control programme and
WHO in Saudi Arabia to organize a special tuberculosis
awareness campaign on World TB Day. The arrangements
included free medical examinations at chain malls, expert
Pakistan: Pakistan celebrated World TB Day with day-long
live television and radio broadcasts on national networks
exclusively focused on tuberculosis, as well as walks and
seminars in the capital and other cities, news editorials
and special news supplements. Tuberculosis awareness
messages were prominently displayed on banners and
billboards in major cities. High-level Ministry of Health
officials attended the ceremonies held on this occasion. 
Sudan: Sudan organized a number of activities to mark
World TB Day. The First Lady of Sudan paid a visit to a
tuberculosis health facility and participated in World TB
Day celebrations, during which she committed herself to work
more for the cause of tuberculosis control. In addition,
football matches, seminars and walks were held in the
capital and in provinces. 
