Today is World Tuberculosis Day 2009

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium that mainly affects the lungs, but can also affect any other organ in the body. More than 2 billion people, one-third of the world’s population, are infected with the bacteria that causes the disease. You might be wondering what tuberculosis has to do with HIV and AIDS but in fact TB happens to be a very common illness, or co-infection, amongst people living with HIV.

HIV and TB together are a lethal combination without appropriate treatment. Each disease speeds the other’s progress... HIV weakens the immune system which makes the patient up to 50 times more vulnerable to developing TB. All of which goes to say, that the work of our partner the Global Fund, is perhaps even more important than you realized.

Your (PRODUCT)RED purchases go to Global Fund-financed programs to help eliminate AIDS in Africa, however the Global Fund also finances TB and malaria programs throughout the world. Indeed, it is the world’s largest financier of TB health programs and its support has enabled more than 4.6 million additional cases of tuberculosis around the world to be detected and treated. That’s on top of the 2 million HIV+ people who are now able to access lifesaving antiretroviral therapy thanks to Global Fund-financed HIV and AIDS programs.

During our visits to see your (RED) money in action we have met many HIV+ people who at one time have suffered from TB. 7 year old Narte and his father Paul from Ghana are both HIV+ and they know only too well how common TB co-infection is. Young Narte, who was born with HIV, became ill with TB in 2006 but soon recovered thanks to receiving the right treatment. He began antiretroviral therapy for his HIV in 2005 thanks to a program financed by (RED) and Global Fund money and now is doing well and will be turning 8 years of age early next month. Happy Birthday Narte!

(Click here to visit the World Tuberculosis Day website)


Narte and his father Paul visiting their clinic for a check up and to collect their medicine