3rd March 2014 is the 19th“World TB Day”. This year, China’s TB prevention theme is “let us all participate in preventing the spread of TB according to the law”.

For the purpose of spreading knowledge of TB prevention and multi-drug resistant TB to  China’s high risk “floating population”, and to reduce discrimination against TB patients, Global Fund-HPPC TB project staff took part in a Health promotion event in Longjiang Park to spread awareness of TB. Other participants from government and health sectors included: Yunnan Centre for Disease Control, Yunnan TB Prevention Clinical Centre, Kunming Centre for Disease Control, Xishan District Centre for Disease Control, Qianwei Health Service Centre.  The event combined health education with live entertainment by Chunyu performance troupe to effectively convey the information to a wider audience –

1. Health Promotion Stalls
On 22nd March, 2013, 8 TB prevention organizations, 4 media parties and university volunteers were all invited to participate in the TB prevention educational initiative as part of Longjiang Park’s health promotion event in Qianwei community. Kunming’s early spring weather is a little chilly, especially in the mornings; however this did not affect the burning passion with which people participated in the event. Early morning, our project staff had already set up the tents, stalls, display boards, banners and promotional materials. Many people enquired about TB at our stalls, through the detailed and patient answering of our staff people were able to expand their knowledge of TB, the transmission of the disease, prevention, and related government support policies. Some people sought advice for relatives suffering from a TB, they wished to receive more support and care from the wider community; the latter is precisely what we are working towards as an NGO.

2.Performances and Trivia
Dressed in colourful traditional garb, voluntary performers from Chunyu troupe attracted crowds with their elegant dance movements on stage. Between performances the MC asked the audience trivia questions about TB, those who answered correctly would receive a small prize. HPP staff performed sign language to the music of “a heart filled with gratitude”, although they are not professional actors nonetheless they moved the audience with their sincerity.

3. Games and Sports
This activity was organized by the Provincial Centre for Disease Control and university volunteers; they drew inspiration from the popular smart-phone game “angry bird”. Game participants must wear a cute angry bird crown at the starting line, with each correctly answered question on TB a few forward steps can be taken towards the finishing line. After reaching the destination the participant must skip 10 times with the skipping rope in order to complete the full routine and receive a prize for their achievement. This game was designed to deepen the participants’ knowledge of TB while at the same time do some healthy exercises. It was an innovative game which attracted many elderly and children to join in.

Overall the TB educational event was a success. HPP as a co-organizer of the event coordinated well with all levels of Centre for Disease Control and actively participated in all activities on the day of the event. Through the collective effort we achieved the expected results -  600 citizens received information about TB prevention. ( attached are photos of the performances on the day of the event)


Sign language performance “a heart filled with gratitude”


Group photo


Group photo of HPP team and leaders from partnering government units


Chunyu troupe performing bellydancing


Face to face education at the health promotion stalls


Distribution of promotional materials


Face to face introduction about TB


Watching performances


Doctors from the Centre for Disease Control demonstrating the correct way of wearing a face mask


The audience lining up to participate in the games

Attachment: Tuberculosis Fact Sheet:
-Tuberculosis is a communicable disease transmitted through air
-Only people who are sick with active TB disease are contagious
-TB patient releases tubercle bacillus into the air through coughing, sneezing, talking, spitting.
1/3 of the world’s population carry the TB bacteria, but only 5-10% of these people will become sick with TB
-TB attacks the young ad strong youths
-Without timely treatment, each active TB patient can infect 10-15 people every year
-Due to weakening of the immune system, HIV/AIDS patients are highly prone to becoming sick with TB
-China has 1 million new cases of TB every year. The TB incidence rate in China is second highest worldwide, next to India.
-If you are sick with low fever and a cough please visit the hospital for an X-ray and sputum sampling. The government subsidizes free diagnosis and treatment for TB.

For more information, please visit the WHO website.