Hackney NHS and MP highlight TB danger

By Hackney Citizen | Thursday 18 March 2010 at 13:08

Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, speaking about TB in the House of Commons last year

World TB (Tuberculosis) Day takes place on Wednesday 24 March, and NHS City and Hackney will be holding events across the borough to highlight the the dangers of the disease.

The events aim to raise awareness amongst local residents and where to get help and support if needed.

The local health service is teaming up with Hackney Council and Homerton University Hospital staff and volunteers to put on both morning and afternoon events at Hackney Community College, Ridley Road Market and Tesco’s in Morning Lane.

Volunteers will be wearing ‘TB or not TB?’ t-shirts and will be on hand to answer any questions.

Dr Jose Figueroa, Deputy Director of Public Health at NHS City and Hackney said, “Tuberculosis is a curable infectious disease that most commonly affects the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of people with active pulmonary TB.

“If you have symptoms – which include coughing up phlegm or blood, fevers, night sweats, feeling tired and unwell and weight loss – please contact your GP immediately to arrange an appointment.

“It is important to remember that TB is curable, and all people in City and Hackney and nationally have the right to free treatment and support,” he added.

Speaking about TB in the House of Commons last year, Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said,”In a deprived inner-city area such as Hackney, it is one of the most serious public health issues that we face.

“In contrast with the situation not so many years ago, when TB had been virtually eradicated, England now has one of the highest rates of TB in the western world, and in recent years Hackney has consistently had one of the highest rates in England.

“I am also concerned about the possibility that the Health in Hackney scrutiny commission is not taking TB as seriously as it should. Only three days ago, members of the commission chose to vote against including TB in the Health in Hackney work programme for the following (ie this) year.” (House of Commons debates, 19 March 2009, 3:46 pm )

If left untreated, each person with active pulmonary TB can infect between 10 to 15 people a year. The most effective way of controlling TB is early diagnosis and treatment.

Black Africans remain the predominant ethnic group affected by TB, but numbers have fallen in recent years. A high proportion of TB cases in Hackney still occur in immigrants from high-incidence countries.

People living with HIV, the unemployed, homeless people and people who misuse drugs and alcohol all have higher TB incidence than the general population.

If you or someone you know has concerns about TB, see your GP (if unregistered, contact Find-a-Doc on 020 7683 4645/4610 or email: find-a-doctor@chpct.nhs.uk). For more information call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit your local NHS Walk-in Centre.

In a deprived inner-city area such as Hackney, it is one of the most serious public health issues that we face. In contrast with the situation not so many years ago, when TB had been virtually eradicated, England now has one of the highest rates of TB in the western world, and in recent years Hackney has consistently had one of the highest rates in England.

I am also concerned about the possibility that the Health in Hackney scrutiny commission is not taking TB as seriously as it should. Only three days ago, members of the commission chose to vote against including TB in the Health in Hackney work programme for the following year.

House of Commons debates, 19 March 2009, 3:46 pIf left untreated, each person with active pulmonary TB can infect between 10 to 15 people a year. The most effective way of controlling TB is early diagnosis and treatment.Tuberculosis is a global public health problem that has seen a resurgence in Britain since the 1980s. It is particularly prevalent in London and inner city boroughs with high levels of overcrowding and deprivation – such as Hackney.The incidence rate of TB in Hackney is well above that at which the World Health Organisation (WHO) states there is a need for ‘urgent action’ at 68.2 cases per 100,000 population in 2007.The rate in Hackney has decreased from a high of 75 cases per 100,000 in 2004, but the proportion of people with complex social needs who have the disease has increased.Black Africans remain the predominant ethnic group affected by TB, but numbers have fallen in recent years. A high proportion of TB cases in Hackney still occur in immigrants from high-incidence countries.People living with HIV, the unemployed, homeless people and people who misuse drugs and alcohol all have higher TB incidence than the general population.If you or someone you know has concerns about TB, see your GP (if unregistered, contact Find-a-Doc on 020 7683 4645/4610 or email: find-a-doctor@chpct.nhs.uk). For more information call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit your local NHS Walk-in Centre.All babies in Hackney are offered BCG immunisation against TB before they are 12 months old; ask your GP or health visitor if needed.

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