History of World TB Day (WTBD)

In the late 19th century, TB killed one out of every seven people living in the United States and Europe. On March 24, 1882, Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the TB bacillus.

At that time, his discovery was the most important step in man's efforts to control and eliminate this deadly disease.

On March 24, 1982, the First World TB Day was sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD), a century after Dr. Koch's famous discovery.

During the World Conference held at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, TB control experts expressed their dismay and disappointment about how little had been achieved in TB control since the exposure of the TB bacillus a hundred years ago.

Many doctors, especially from affluent countries, tend to forget about TB and fail to properly diagnose the disease, let alone treat and cure it, despite the availability of very potent anti-TB drugs like rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and streptomycin.

The befitting theme of the first World TB Day, as proposed by the National TB Association from Mali, was: "Defeat TB! Now and Forever!". The event was also held to educate the public about the devastating health and economic consequences of TB, its effect on developing countries and its continued tragic impact on global health.

Past World TB Day themes:

1999: STOP TB, USE DOTS! 2000: FORGING NEW PARTNERSHIPS TO STOP TB! 2001: DOTS, TB CURE FOR ALL! 2002: STOP TB, FIGHT POVERTY! 2003: DOTS CURED ME. IT CAN CURE YOU TOO!