AKIPRESS.COM - The World Tuberculosis (TB) Day event will be held on March 31 in Bishkek. Visitors will be able to attend short information sessions about TB, participate in quizzes, enjoy musical performances, a flash mob, and other activities. This event is free and open to the public.

The event "Yes! We can end TB!” will raise public awareness about tuberculosis, fight myths and misconceptions, and encourage community support for TB care.

World TB Day, observed on 24 March each year, is designed to build public awareness about the global TB epidemic and efforts to eliminate the disease.

The event is organized by two United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects – “Cure Tuberculosis” and “Support to TB Patients” – in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the National Tuberculosis Center, the Republican Center for Health Promotion and Mass Communication, and Bilge Club.

Members of the media will have the opportunity to learn about TB firsthand from government officials from the health sector, representatives of USAID, volunteers, and former patients.

The U.S. and Kyrgyz governments have been working together to eliminate TB for over two decades. In the last seven years, joint programs have helped reduce TB-related deaths by 40%. Together we have made great strides in care and treatment.

In the last three years, on average 3,500-4,000 TB cases were registered in the Kyrgyz Republic annually. The Kyrgyz Republic has one of the highest numbers of drug-resistant TB cases.