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August 7, 2003
HONOLULU – The Department of Health (DOH) Tuberculosis (TB)
Control Program will host a grand opening celebration on Thursday,
August 7, 2003 to unveil its newly renovated, state-of-the-art
tuberculosis clinic. The clinic is located on the ground floor of
Lanakila Health Center at 1700 Lanakila Avenue in Kalihi.
The August 7th event will begin at 9:30 am with a dedication
ceremony featuring state officials, Assistant Surgeon General Dr.
Kenneth G. Castro, and other dignitaries from the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An open house will continue from
10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The public is encouraged to visit and enjoy a
rare, behind-the-scenes view of the new Lanakila TB Clinic.
The 10,000 square foot facility, which opened on May 27, offers a
negative air pressure system to insure maximum patient and staff
safety, and a new digital X-ray imaging system, which produces safer,
more efficient chest X-rays. This marks the first major facility
renovation for Lanakila TB Clinic since 1975, when Lanakila Health
Center opened at its current location.
The new clinic also houses works of art on loan from the Hawai`i Art
in Public Places Program. Featured artists include John Tanji Koga,
Hanae Uechi Mills, and Francis Haar. In addition, the Bishop Museum has
created a new mini-exhibit detailing the history of TB in Hawai`i. The
exhibit, which incorporates historic photographs and medical equipment
from Leahi Hospital, the TB Control Program, and the American Lung
Association of Hawai`i, will be on display in the TB clinic waiting
area.
The Lanakila TB Clinic is a high-volume TB center that handles over
50,000 client visits every year. All TB services (TB skin testing,
X-rays, consultation and medicine) are free to the public.
In 2002, 148 TB cases were diagnosed in Hawai`i, representing a TB
case rate of 11.9 cases per 100,000. Hawai`i ranks first in the United
States for TB case rates.
Since 1992, the state of Hawai`i has reported one of the highest
proportions of foreign-born TB cases in the nation. In 2002, 84% of the
state’s TB cases were foreign-born, compared to the most recent
national proportion of 51% foreign-born TB cases in 2002.
Tuberculosis is an airborne disease caused by very small bacteria.
It usually affects the lungs, and these cases are most infectious. TB
may also infect and affect other parts of the body. Individuals can be
infected with TB when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat
coughs or sneezes, sending the bacteria into the air. Signs and
symptoms of TB disease include cough, fever, night sweats, loss of
appetite, weight loss and fatigue.
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For more information, contact:
Janice Okubo
Public Information Officer, Communications
Phone: 586-4442
Darcie Yukimura
Information Specialist, Communications
Phone: 586-4442
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