TO most people tuberculosis is a dreadful disease of the past and not many are aware that "today, worldwide, tuberculosis annually infects eight million and kills three million people. Ireland has seen a decline from 3,166 cases in 1960 to 458 cases in 1996 and while these figures appear to be low, they are still relatively high compared with neighbouring countries. The greatest threat to the fall in tuberculosis statistics in this country is complacency, therefore information and education need regular updating.
In keeping with this policy, the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science in conjunction with the International Association of Medical Laboratory Technology and the World Health Organisation have deemed tomorrow Worldwide Biomedical Laboratory Science Day. The theme for this day will be Biomedical Science, The Key to the Cure of Tuberculosis. Three meetings will take place simultaneously at 6.30 p.m. in Cork University Hospital, University College Hospital, Galway and the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin. Three lectures will be given in each centre, where experts will discuss the clinical, Third World and laboratory diagnosis aspects of tuberculosis. These are open meetings and anyone interested in the topic is welcome. Admission is free.
DR Gunvant Oswal of the Centre for Development Disorders, Pune, India will present his "G" Therapy tomorrow in the Highways Hotel, Ballyloran, Larne, Co Antrim from 10 a.m. The symposium will also be addressed by Dr Philip James of Dundee University Medical Centre and Linda Scotson, research director of Hyperbaric Oxygen Trust. "G" Therapy is an oral medication based on natural herbal medicine for children and adults with various neurological conditions, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, autism and learning difficulties. Further details from (0801762) 322281. The cost is £10 per adult, children free, and there will be opportunities for assessments during the day.
THE Irish Association for Counselling and Therapy is holding a workshop next Saturday on Self Esteem: Counselling Aspects with Anne Nolan in the Doyle Tara Hotel, Dublin from 9.45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is open to the public the cost is £25, IACT members £20. Further details from (01) 2300061.
MINDING the Mind series of public lectures continues on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the St John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co Dublin. Stress and the Family Life Cycle is the title of this week's lecture which will be given by Eibhlin O Scollain, social worker. Admission is free.