ADRA India promoted and celebrated World TB Day 2008, which aims to raise the awareness of Tuberculosis (TB) and its deadly effects if left undetected or untreated. Over 400,000 people in India die each year due to TB. TBC India, the national Tuberculosis Control Program for India states, “In India today, two deaths occur every three minutes from tuberculosis (TB). But these deaths can be prevented. With proper care and treatment, TB patients can be cured and the battle against TB can be won....”

The WHO (World Health Organisation) advises that, “World Tuberculosis Day, held annually on 24 March, commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch presented his discovery of the TB bacillus to a group of doctors in Berlin. This year, World TB Day will focus on the efforts of frontline TB care providers and their crucial role in stopping TB.”

In the city of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu state, ADRA India promoted and advocated for the awareness and education of TB, to over 3,000 people. The local government, schools and general public were involved in rallies, competitions, poster/banner advertising, street art, exhibitions, street theatre and video screenings. The local school children were involved in TB themed drawing competitions and the local women in street art competitions.

Jude Stephen, TOPA (Treatment of One is Prevention for All) Project Manger said “In continuation of our project and organisational visibility in the area of TB control, we have developed aWORLD TB YEAR 2008 POSTER in line with WHO's global TB theme - " I AM STOPPING TB" which was officially released by the District Collector of Cuddalore on 31st March 2008 in the presence of District TB officer, Deputy Director of Health Services, Joint Director of Health Services and other government officials."

ADRA India’s TOPA project started in May 2006 and is worth €431,000 which is funded by Aktion Deutschland Hilft through ADRA Germany. TOPA benefits 196,000 people in 140 villages, and works directly with the community in raising education and awareness of TB, as well as providing direct medical and social support to patients struggling with TB. TOPA works with the Government’s Health Services Department in providing DOT (Directly Observed Treatment) Providers who assist TB patients by administering and advising on their medication, as well as providing counseling and support to the patients and their families.

To donate or find out more about ADRA India’s Health Program, please visit our website www.adraindia.org.

ADRA India provides community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race, or ethnicity.

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ADRA India is a Christian humanitarian agency, fighting to alleviate poverty and suffering in India.