SHAH ALAM, March 24 — Selangor recorded approximately 4,307 cases of tuberculosis (TB) last year, said state executive councillor for public health Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud.
Due to this, the state government will continue its TB Treatment Incentive programme this year, which is expected to benefit up to 1,000 patients.
She said the programme, first introduced in 2020, will be implemented through the Selangor Public Health Standing Committee.
It involves providing RM800 in aid to individuals who have been infected by the disease.
"Last year the programme successfully benefitted 781 individuals with a total expenditure of RM624,800.
"The incentive is aimed at encouraging patients to complete their treatment, in addition to helping to bear their travel costs as they have to constantly move to and from the hospital or clinic for treatment," Dr Siti Mariah said in a statement to mark World TB Day today.
She added 597 fatalities due to TB were recorded in 2020, with some 598 recorded cases of individuals who ceased seeking treatment for the disease.
As such Dr Siti Mariah said the state government will continue to endeavour to provide information concerning the programme through various promotional programmes on digital platforms and activities by Selangor Health Community Volunteers (Suka)
Further information on the TB Treatment Incentive programme can be found at https://www.selangorprihatin.com/insentifrawatantibi.
