The Jeddah Health Affairs this week launched a campaign against TB at Al-Serafi Mega Mall under the theme “I am Stopping TB, Million Youth against TB.” The campaign is part of the International TB Day to be observed next week and will cover schools, universities, and public places to increase awareness about TB and its dangers. “Our campaign is aimed at disseminating information about TB as a large segment of society does not seem to have a proper understanding of the dangers it poses,” Dr. Sami Badawood, Director Jeddah Health Affairs said. “Our teams will visit schools, universities, and shopping centers in Jeddah as the city has a high percentage of TB cases. Holding the campaign in public places will help to create an awareness of the dangerous disease,” he added. “People should take care of environmental hygiene in public housing, and avoid spitting on the roads, and sneezing in the faces of others so as not to infect them,” he said. The campaign involves offering free treatment to all Saudis, expatriates and visitors, said Badawood. The campaign will be more effective after we launch the first Saudi movie to fight TB at the international conference to fight TB in Brazil at the end of this month, he said. The Ministry of Health is planning to introduce a new TB center from next year. “We have one TB clinic in the eastern part of Jeddah and this year we have a SR7 million budget to open a new clinic in the north of the city. The project will start next year,” he added.
