Fujifilm Raises Awareness and Intensifies Screening Efforts to End Tuberculosis on World TB Day 2024

Bangkok, 21 March 2024 — FUJIFILM (Thailand) Ltd., a leading provider of healthcare solutions, is intensifying its efforts to contribute to global initiatives aimed at ending Tuberculosis (TB) in alignment with World TB Day. World TB Day is an annual event observed on March 24th, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the concerning rise of TB cases worldwide. Fujifilm pledges to enhance its provision of cutting-edge screening solutions to healthcare professionals, facilitating early detection—a critical aspect of TB treatment. Under its new group purpose of "Giving our world more smiles," Fujifilm remains committed to innovation for a healthier world, reducing preventable casualties, and ultimately bringing smiles to more individuals.

World TB Day 2024 rallies under the theme 'Yes! We can end TB!', conveying determination to combat the epidemic and focusing on translating commitments into action, with WHO advocating for chest X-ray screening alongside sputum tests. Additionally, WHO recommends AI technology for analyzing chest X-rays in regions with limited expertise, bolstering diagnostic capabilities.

In 2022, WHO reported that tuberculosis (TB) affected 10.6 million people globally, resulting in 1.3 million deaths. Thailand, categorized as a high TB burden country, reports 155 cases per 100,000 individuals according to the country’s Division of Tuberculosis, Department of Disease Control. Annually, it is estimated that over 111,000 new TB cases arise in Thailand alone. Alarmingly, the TB mortality rate in the country remains high, averaging over 40 deaths per day or approximately 12,000 to 14,000 deaths each year. These statistics highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address TB within Thailand, including enhanced prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies to reduce the disease's impact on public health.

Mr. So Maruo, Managing Director of FUJIFILM (Thailand) Ltd., says, “Fujifilm is dedicated to improving healthcare quality and accessibility. Tuberculosis (TB), one of the world's major infectious diseases, affects over 10 million people annually. Recognizing the importance of early detection for successful treatment, Fujifilm collaborates with public health agencies in Thailand and globally to introduce innovative portable X-ray units. Our main goal is to contribute to end TB by empowering medical professionals and healthcare systems, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aiming to end TB by 2030.”