Efforts towards TB control effective: Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health stated that endeavors towards TB control have registered positive outcome and that morbidity as well as mortality rate connected with the disease is in its lowest level.

Asmara, 24 April, 2012 – The Ministry of Health stated that endeavors towards TB control have registered positive outcome and that morbidity as well as mortality rate connected with the disease is in its lowest level.

Dr. Minab Sibhatu, head of TB control unit in the Ministry, indicated that follow-ups regarding TB control have been underway in 56 health centers and 186 health stations in line with community sensitization undertakings through 1,300 trained volunteers. He further indicated that TB, which stands second in mortality rate, can be cured within 6 to 8 months if treated effectively.

The Ministry further indicated that a distinct hospital has been set up with the objective of serving extreme cases of the disease, in which treatment service lasting for more than 6 months is available freely. It also indicated that survey as regards TB morbidity rate would be carried out along with the introduction of laboratory technology that gives room for diagnosis of the diseases in 2 hours.

Dr. Minab also explained that 89% of the patients diagnosed with TB last year were cured, and called on citizens to share their awareness as regards symptoms of the disease and encourage suspects to undergo laboratory checkup.

WHO reports indicate that annually over 2 million out of 10 million people die from TB, the prevalence of which was diagnosed 100 years ago.