Basic Information
World TB Day is observed on March 24 every year to build public awareness about the epidemic disease tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease.
Observed on: March 24
Organized by: WHO
Introduced in: 1995 (First Observation)
Observed: Worldwide
About World TB Day
Every year March 24 is observed as World TB Day. This date commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. The observance of this day as World TB Day is to build public awareness about the epidemic disease tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease.
The first World TB Day celebration meeting was held by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the Royal Netherlands Tuberculosis Foundation in the year 1995 in Den Haag.
Activities and Programs on World TB Day
Variety of events and activities are organized by many organizations like WHO, IUATLD, KNCV, etc. to celebrate this day. Health organizations, governments, non-government organizations, hospitals, health workers, etc. are also took part in the celebration through different programs.
The activities and programs conducted on this day to give people awareness about the basic and essential knowledge of tuberculosis, causes, prevention and cure of this disease to get prevented and eradicate this disease from the world. The programs include variety of campaign programs, campaigning through audiovisual media, social media, awareness programs, street plays, seminars, exhibitions, etc. Charity events are conducted on this day to raise funds for the programs to eliminate TB.
Theme for World TB Day
World TB Day 2021 Theme is “The Clock is Ticking” – conveys the sense that the Covid 19 pandemic has delayed the progress of curing TB and the world is running out of time to act on the commitments to end TB made by global leaders
TB Day 2020 Theme is “Its Time“
TB Day 2019 Theme was “It’s Time“
2018 Theme: Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world
2017 Theme: Unite to End TB
2016 Theme: Find TB. Treat TB. Working together to eliminate TB
2015 Theme: Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone
2014 Theme: Reach the three million: A TB test, treatment and cure for all
2013 Theme: Stop TB in my lifetime
2012 theme: Call for a world free of TB
2011 Theme: Transforming the fight towards elimination
2010 Theme: Innovate to accelerate action
2009 Theme: I am stopping TB
2008 Theme: I am stopping TB
2007 Theme: TB anywhere is TB everywhere
2006 Theme: Actions for life – Towards a world free of TB
2005 Theme: Frontline TB care providers: Heroes in the fight against TB
2004 Theme: Every breath counts – Stop TB now!
2003 Theme: DOTS cured me – it will cure you too!
2002 Theme: Stop TB, fight poverty
2001 Theme: DOTS: TB cure for all
2000 Theme: Forging new partnerships to stop TB
1999 Theme: Stop TB, use DOTS
1998 Theme: DOTS success stories
1997 Theme: Use DOTS more widely