I volunteer for Results Korea, a nonprofit organization that operates globally to spread awareness on issues related to poverty.
My letter is in repose to a Jan. 23 Korea Times article, “Infectious diseases spread nationwide.” The article highlighted the concerning nature of the recent spike in cases of chickenpox, measles and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the threat to public health this represents.
Their resurgence comes as global aid organizations struggle to curb the rise of far deadlier infectious diseases. I am writing to inform your readers of the chance Korea has to change the course of the fight against tuberculosis (TB).
TB infection rates are rising globally, and unlike measles, another prominent and deadly infectious illness, it has been resistant to international efforts to slow its spread.
Tuberculosis in Korea was eradicated with the help of foreign aid, before which it ravaged the Korean Peninsula during and after the Korean War. During this period, it was the leading cause of death. Thanks to international aid, 96 percent of tuberculosis in Korea was eradicated.
Due to its elimination, Koreans think of TB as an infectious disease of the past ― replaced by measles, RSV and chickenpox. Korea must look beyond its borders and turn now to help those still suffering.
Tuberculosis is still common around the world and among infectious diseases it has the highest mortality rate. A third of TB patients do not know they are carriers for the disease, which has stymied attempts to combat its spread.
The Global Fund, an organization fighting AIDS, TB and malaria, will have its budget replenished in October 2019 in Lyon, France. Korea's contribution to the fund was just 1/1,000th of its total budget. By increasing its contribution tenfold, Korea can show its dedication to the fight of the spread of infectious disease.
Since its creation in 2002, the fund has saved over 2.7 million lives. If not for efforts made in the past on Korea's behalf, Korea could be facing a resurgence of tuberculosis, instead of chickenpox. We hope that Korea will do its part.
Jodie-Ann Asher
graduate student
Yonsei University
Seoul