Dr Mario Raviglione,
Director of the Global TB Programme at the World Health Organization (WHO)
Hallo friends!,
Look at my mask: "ZERO STIGMA".
It is to remind all of us what patients with TB have to go
through when they are with family, friends, colleagues and
people. How would you feel if I were walking around with
this mask in your schools, work places, airplanes or simply
on the street? I imagine that you, along with many others,
will do your best to avoid me, to keep me away, out of fear
that I will transmit TB infection to you
People with TB suffer from this isolation, this terrible solitude. Yet they need their mask to prevent transmitting to others when they are still contagious. That is why we must help them and get rid of the stigma that surrounds tuberculosis! Let us un-mask the fear and unleash solidarity for all people who suffer from TB.
If your wife has TB then stand next to her, don't abandon her; if your neighbour has TB then keep treating him as such, don’t isolate him; if your employee has TB, don’t sack him, help him take treatment. I call today for ZERO STIGMA and ZERO DISCRIMINATION against people with TB!
Dr Mario Raviglione,
Director of the Global TB Programme at the World Health Organization (WHO)
