More TB cases recorded in Sarawak last year

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Lau (second left) prepares to cut a ribbon at the event with Sibu divisional health officer Dr Teh Jo Hun (third right) and Sibu Hospital director Dr Ngian Hie Ung.

SIBU: A total of 3,121 tuberculosis cases were detected in Sarawak last year – an increase of 11.6 per cent compared to 2,797 cases recorded in 2017.

Lanang member of parliament Alice Lau said 2,857 cases were recorded in 2016, while in 2015 there were 2,575 cases.

“Deaths caused by tuberculosis disease in Sarawak were 237 persons in 2018 as compared to 214 persons in 2015, 256 in 2016, and 272 in 2017,” she said when officiating at the Sibu Divisional Level World Tuberculosis Day 2019.

For Sibu Division, 464 cases were recorded last year compared to 393 in 2017, 402 in 2016, and 358 in 2015.

“Sibu Division recorded 21 death cases in 2018, 35 death cases in 2017, 45 in 2016, and 35 in 2015.

“We are thankful that the death caused by the infectious bacterial disease of tuberculosis dropped in year 2018. My congratulations to the Sibu Divisional Health Office,” she said.

Lau stressed that everyone has a role to play in preventing the spread of tuberculosis.

“All this while, society at large had thought that the effort to curb and tackle tuberculosis disease was only shouldered by the Health Department. No, this is the wrong view.

“Instead, we all should work closely together with the Health Department,” she added.