Tuberculosis (TB) is the single most deadly infectious disease in the world, killing two million people each year. The disease most commonly attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body, including the nervous and circulatory system.

The British Red Cross and AstraZeneca have been working in partnership since 2002 to tackle TB and co-infection of TB and HIV.

Ahead of World TB Day (24 March) the Red Cross is celebrating helping more than 8,000 vulnerable people to complete their TB treatment and educating hundreds of thousands of people in ways to prevent the disease.

Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent

The Red Cross has implemented programmes in central Asia – Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan – as well as in South Africa and Lesotho. The British Red Cross works through these countries' Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.

Venera (27) became a Kyrgyzstan Red Crescent volunteer after being helped by their TB programme.
 
"I received psychosocial support from the Red Crescent visiting nurse, who revived my spirits and explained that TB can be cured if I take drugs on time. They also helped me to maintain good health," Venera said.Currently Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are seeking to integrate TB and HIV programming at community level particularly in countries with high HIV prevalence. HIV is the biggest single risk factor for TB as it lowers resistance to the disease.

Vital work of volunteers

Volunteers are trained to raise awareness of TB symptoms, encouraging people to seek treatment and supporting them to complete their treatment. For those affected by TB and HIV, poverty and poor access to services continues to challenge the successful completion of treatment in many countries.

In some rural areas, the distances between home and clinics for screening and drug collection are significant constraints. Many people find it difficult to absorb drugs on a daily basis without having sufficient food.

Volunteers work to reduce the stigma around TB that still persists in many countries and also involve people with TB and those recovered from the disease in programme activities.

Cathy Mears, British Red Cross senior health advisor said: "Through the work of community-based volunteers and staff, our National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies can make a major contribution to national TB/HIV control efforts."

Read about TB work in Kyrgyzstan

Fighting TB in Russia