Fluorography once a year is no longer compulsory for everyone. Only those who form part of the group of people exposed to the risk of developing tuberculosis are recommended thoracic radiography. Director of the Phthisiopneumology Institute “Chiril Draganiuc” Liliana Domente has told IPN that such a decision was taken after it was established that the mandatory examination wasn’t cost efficient.
“The strategies in healthcare clearly stipulate that only the persons from the risk group must be prescribed such examinations. The provisions were misinterpreted and everyone was told to do such an examination, which is not cost efficient. It was thus decided, based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization, to monitor only the persons from the risk group,” stated Liliana Domente.
The doctor also said that micro-fluorography is an outdated method. The persons exposed to the risk of developing tuberculosis are examined by standard radiology, which involves a lower radiation level. The national hospitals were banned from using the old fluorography apparatus and are to purchase new radiological equipment.
Under an order made by the Ministry of Health, each family doctor is obliged to compile a list of persons who are in the risk group and must prescribe radiological examination once a year for them.
The symptoms of tuberculosis are tiredness, abundant perspiration at night, coughing for more than three weeks, elimination of blood by cough and sudden loss of weight. The risk group includes the persons with low immunity, those who take drugs and those who directly come into contact with persons suffering from tuberculosis.
