TB action month launched

During the month, TB-related meetings and parades will be held in Hà Nội with the expected participation of some 3,000 people. Besides, a relevant writing contest, talks with youths and the launch of theme stamps will be conducted.

Việt Nam sees 200,000 new TB infections and the TB-caused death of nearly 30,000 people each year.

The national Anti-TB program has cured 92% of 100,000 TB patients a year.

According to the program, Việt Nam will have halved TB infections in comparison with the 2000 figure by 2015 before eradicating the disease by 2030.

Asso.Prof. Dr. Đinh Ngọc Sỹ, Director of the Central Lung Disease Hospital, said the rising tendency in the number of HIV carriers carrying TB and multiple drug resistance in TB patients challenges the program.

Besides, human resource shortages, loose coordination between public and private healthcare sectors and improper reports of infections are testing the implementation of the program.

By Ngọc Vân