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Momodou
Denmark
11790 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Jun 2007 : 23:21:13
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DR MARIATOU JALLOW HARPS ON TUBERCULOSIS
By Yaya Bajo
The Director of Health Services, Dr. Mariatou Jallow has recently told participants at a workshop on TB prevention and control that the tuberculosis epidemic in the Africa region is of great concern. She said approximately 2.4 million new TB cases and 500,000 deaths occur every year. She added that the Africa region accounts for over 25% of the Global TB burden.
Dr. Jallow further indicated that available data shows that TB incidence in the Africa region has been increasing by 3% per year compared to a global average of 1%. She said the data also indicated that most countries in the region have not yet reached the world health assembly and Abuja targets of 70% case detection and the 85% treatment success rate.
According to the Health Director, this alarming situation is attributed to many factors within the continent. She said TB detection and control has been accorded relatively low priority by Governments with regards to resource allocation. She added that access to DOTS (Direct Observe Treatment Short Course) is still limited in many countries. She further lamented that the participation of the private sector and community groups in the delivery of TB services is still low while public health delivery systems upon which TB services rely tend to be poorly distributed and mostly malfunctional. She noted that facilities for diagnosis are still highly centralised and the absence of trained manpower and basic equipment compound the problems.
Dr. Jallow expressed pleasure that diagnosis and treatment of TB in The Gambia is provided free of charge to all patients irrespective of nationality. “This clearly demonstrates government’s Commitment to the containment and eradication of the disease,” she pointed out.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 74/2007, 27-28 June 2007
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