Tuberculosis disease cannot be eradicated only through government programmes

Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva says the tuberculosis disease cannot be eradicated from Sri Lanka only through programmes carrying out by the government.
The Minister pointed out that the support of civil organisations and the public is essential in combating the disease. Minister De Silva expressed these views at the national ceremony to observe the World Anti Tuberculosis Day held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute today. The Tuberculosis Eradication Movement of the Ministry of Health organised this event.
The Minister said patients infected with tuberculosis should not be cornered from the society. The disease can be cured permanently. Speaking on the occasion Director of the Tuberculosis Eradication Movement Mrs. Chandra Sarukkali said Sri Lanka has successfully contained the disease. Annually around eight million persons in the world catch the tuberculosis disease and of them, two million cases are fatal.