Fight against tuberculosis continues due to presence of illegal immigrants

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry stated today that the challenge to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) continues due the continuous presence of illegal immigrants in the country.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya urged all stakeholders, including employers to understand the situation because the disease can easily be transmitted to locals too.
He noted there were 24,220 TB cases last year with the highest in Sabah (4,464) and the lowest in Kuala Lumpur (1,819).
The ministry's deputy director-general Datuk Lokman Hakim, who was also present, said 12% of the total cases were illegal immigrants.
He said once an individual has been detected with TB, they will be given a two-week treatment and then returned to their country of origin by the immigrations department.
He echoed Hilmi's sentiment that it will still be difficult to totally eliminate TB but maintains precautionary measures are in place.
Both were speaking in a press conference after Hilmi launched the National TB and Lung Disease conference here.