 Feb 24, 2023 is World Tuberculosis Day. It is observed every year to raise awareness, to remind the world of the seriousness of this disease and to reflect on the progress made to date to fight the disease. Tuberculosis or TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria spreads through the air from person to person and mainly attacks the lungs, but it can affect other areas of the body. The general symptoms of TB include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. The symptoms of TB disease of the lungs also include coughing, chest pain and the coughing up of blood. To have any of these symptoms, please get help from our team at any of our health facilities. We are here to help. The disease has been around for most of human history, becoming particularly deadly at times. In fact, researchers can trace tuberculosis back to early Egypt more than 5000 years ago. There is also reference to TB in the Bible. Tuberculosis was the second leading infectious disease killer in the world after COVID-19 in 2021. In many regions of the world, the HIV epidemic has driven the TB epidemic. St. Lucia is defined as a country with a low burden incidence of TB. That is, TB cases do not exceed 10 cases per 100,000 population. To maintain a low burden incidence of TB and eventually eliminate TB in St. Lucia, it is important that persons who are diagnosed with TB are treated because TB can be cured. Persons who are recognized as close contacts of a newly diagnosed TB patient must be assessed for TB and if they are diagnosed with either pulmonary TB or latent TB must be treated to be cured. TB spreads from infected droplets of persons who cough, speak, shout or sing. The management treatment, testing and caring including medication to treat TB is offered without charge to the public. We can do rapid diagnostic tests for TB as well as tests for resistance to TB medication. Eliminating or ending TB in St. Lucia is not just about investment. This also requires personal responsibility on the part of the patients and persons who are identified as contacts of patients. TB can be cured. It requires patients to take their medication as prescribed and for the duration it is prescribed. The Ministry of Health remains committed to end the TB epidemic and encourages the public to work with the health authorities to make this a reality. Yes, we can end TB. Thank you.