The number of persons infected with tuberculosis in Moldova has declined compared with the previous years. However, the number of cases of drug-resistant TB increased. According to the latest data provided by the Health Ministry, Moldova ranks 27th in the world by the number of people infected with TB, IPN reports.
There are about 5,000 persons with tuberculosis who are officially registered in Moldova, by about 800 cases fewer compared with 2005. According to acting Health Minister Andrei Usatii, 40 million people suffering from tuberculosis have been treated within a global program to combat TB for 2006 – 2015. They included Moldovans. Transnistria is the most affected region of Moldova. In Rybnitsa, there are 218 people with TB per 100,000 people. This rate in Slobozia is 198 per 100,000 people, while in Camenca and Tiraspol - 120.
According to the minister, it is very important to detect the disease early as the risk of the bacteria being spread diminishes. The persons with TB receive treatment free of charge, including from the allocations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Fund. “Last year we received 92 million lei from the WHO for modernizing and ensuring the treatment,” Andrei Usatii said in a news conference.
WHO Country Office head Jarno Habicht told the same news conference that tuberculosis exists everywhere and treatment services should also be everywhere and the WHO Office in Moldova will support the authorities in this respect. “Thousands of people die because of this disease daily worldwide. We will help Moldova to combat tuberculosis,” said Jarno Habicht.
Liliana Domente, doctor of the Phtyziopulmonology Institute “Chiril Draganiuc”, called on the Moldovans to see a doctor in time as only the early detection and the support of the community can produce results.
The news conference was organized by the Health Ministry on the occasion of the World TB Day that is marked on March 24. This year, the campaign to combat tuberculosis was themed “Stop TB during our generation”.
