U.N. SG Ban calls for global effort to fight TB on World TB Day

Mar 27 2012

Speaking on Saturday at a World Tuberculosis (TB) Day event, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "called for a global effort to diagnose and treat tuberculosis," United Press International reports (3/24). According to the WHO, 8.8 million people contracted TB in 2010, and 1.4 million people died of the disease, primarily in low and middle-income countries, CBS News' "Health Pop" blog notes (Castillo, 3/24). "Let us vow to end the neglect of TB and to end deaths from this disease in our lifetime," Ban said, adding, "It is critical to support those who lack the means to respond with the care and treatment they need to enjoy healthy and productive lives. ... With the right interventions, we can make a major difference," according to the U.N. News Centre (3/24).