King Abdulaziz Hospital in Al Ahsa Launches World Tuberculosis (TB) Day
Department of Infection Prevention and Control in King Abdulaziz Hospital in Al Ahsa, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs (MNG-HA) organized the activities of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, through holding an awareness exhibition attended by several departments and presenting many specialized lectures. In this regard, Dr. Ahmad Al Arfaj, the Regional Executive Director of MNG-HA in the Eastern Region said that: "The event is a complement to a variety of activities aim at raising awareness levels among the participants, correcting misconceptions and highlighting the main objectives of holding such activities".
He also added: "TB is considered a serious infectious disease that has claimed the lives of many around the world, and raising awareness levels regarding the importance of screening, detection, prevention, and non-contact with infected people must be communicated to the public, as the participants in this event got intensive and accurate information about it, as well many questions that were in minds of people were answered clearly".
Moreover, the activities included an awareness exhibition organized by many departments such as Department of Infection Prevention and Control, as they discussed the status of TB patient inside the hospital and the importance of isolating him/her from other patients. This corner was directed to the medical staff.
Also, Department of Diabetes participated in the exhibition, as they pointed out the relationship between diabetics and TB; the diabetics exposed to TB because of lack of immunity and their likelihood of injury is more than in other patients. The participants in this corner stressed on the need for regular use of drugs, and the importance of diabetes control to avoid getting TB. Also, Health Education corner focused on the relationship between women and TB. Medical studies have shown that most women with TB are of the age of 15 to 45 years old.
In addition, the Respiratory Services corner clarified that any human organs can be infected but the most common injury to the lungs, because infection occurs through breathing. The participants in this corner recommended the prevention by avoiding crowded places, wearing masks, and drinking more fluids for people who are infected with respiratory illnesses.
Pharmaceutical Care Services Department presented TB drugs, and focused on the need to comply with dosage of drugs, check the expire date and knowing the possible side effects of taking TB drugs, while the Social Services Department stressed on the importance of raising awareness levels regarding not dealing poorly with TB patients, as it may infect anyone, and has a cure. The patient should not feel shame, and here comes the importance of the family role in supporting their injured patient.
Moreover, the Clinical Nutrition Department explained that the TB patient usually has a loss of appetite and a significant weight loss and there is a strong relation between these symptoms and TB, as well as they recommend following a special diet program with the need to increase protein portion, because the disease destroys the muscles.
Also, Nursing and Emergency departments participated in the exhibition as they focused through their corners on TB and methods of spread and prevention, while Safety Department discussed the employees safety who are working in the hospitals’ isolation rooms, specifically those who reveal the air, as they are more vulnerable to infection than others.
In addition, the event included a number of intensive specialized lectures, where the Head of Infection Prevention and Control Department in King Abdulaziz Hospital, Dr. Ayman Al-Gammal presented a paper about treatment and prevention of TB, stories of injured people, discussing their details with the participants and clarifying the best treatment methods in terms of medical specialty.
Last but not least, Public Health Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control Department, Ms. Wedad Altrefi talked about the statistics of TB patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the factors causing it. She said: "TB is the second leading cause of death from infectious diseases and comes after HIV / AIDS, and one-third of the population in the world are infected with TB according to the World Health Organization's 2015 statistics. 9 million people become infected each year and causes 2 million deaths a year, 90% of deaths are in developing countries and 75% are aged from 15 to 54 years old”.