KOTA KINABALU, May 24 — One hundred and eighty-nine tuberculosis (TB) cases were recorded in Kota Kinabalu between January and March this year, compared to 162 cases in the same period last year.
Sabah Community Development and Consumer Affairs minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said 108 of the cases comprised men and 81, women.
“Of the number, 105 were from the non-employed group, while 56 were private sector workers and 18, self employed.
“Those between age 25 and 34 made up the highest number with 43 cases while there were 38 cases among those aged between 15 and 24, and 35 cases among those aged between 45 and 54,” she told a press conference after launching an Anti Spitting campaign at Sulaman Sentral 1Malaysia Clinic near here today.
Jainab who is also Karambunai assemblyman, said many people were still unaware that the habit of spitting indiscriminately in public was not only a disgraceful habit but could contribute to the spread of diseases such as TB.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu Health Officer Dr Mohammad Safree Jeffree said the objective of the campaign was also to instil awareness in the public on the importance of undergoing screening for TB. — Bernama
