Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201405220229.html
Namibia: TB Cases On Decrease
By Mathias Haufiku, 21 May 2014
Windhoek ? Tuberculosis remains a challenge for Namibia - ranked fourth worldwide - but the decrease of TB in recent years shows the epidemic can be managed.
Officials from the Ministry of Health and Social Services ascribe the reason for TB occurrences in the country to the HIV epidemic and other risk factors such as poverty, smoking, under-nutrition and diabetes millitus...
...The ministry says the TB burden remains a challenge in the country, however, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of TB cases since 2006. Figures indicate that case numbers dropped from 765 in 2006 to 487 in 2013 for all forms of tuberculosis, according to statistics provided by the ministry's special programmes directorate at a media briefing on Tuesday.
As for the drug-resistant TB, there was an increase from 116 cases in 2007 to 236 in 2013. Statistics indicate the treatment success rate has increased from 83 percent in 2012 to 85 percent in 2013.
The ministry says it costs about N$1 000 to treat one patient suffering from TB in its usual form, while an estimated N$50 000 is required to treat one patient with drug-resistant TB.
The majority of TB cases are reported in the Khomas, Erongo, Ohangwena and Kavango regions.
In 2013, the HIV/TB rate stood at 45 percent compared to 47 percent in 2012.
Namibia: TB Cases On Decrease
By Mathias Haufiku, 21 May 2014
Windhoek ? Tuberculosis remains a challenge for Namibia - ranked fourth worldwide - but the decrease of TB in recent years shows the epidemic can be managed.
Officials from the Ministry of Health and Social Services ascribe the reason for TB occurrences in the country to the HIV epidemic and other risk factors such as poverty, smoking, under-nutrition and diabetes millitus...
...The ministry says the TB burden remains a challenge in the country, however, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of TB cases since 2006. Figures indicate that case numbers dropped from 765 in 2006 to 487 in 2013 for all forms of tuberculosis, according to statistics provided by the ministry's special programmes directorate at a media briefing on Tuesday.
As for the drug-resistant TB, there was an increase from 116 cases in 2007 to 236 in 2013. Statistics indicate the treatment success rate has increased from 83 percent in 2012 to 85 percent in 2013.
The ministry says it costs about N$1 000 to treat one patient suffering from TB in its usual form, while an estimated N$50 000 is required to treat one patient with drug-resistant TB.
The majority of TB cases are reported in the Khomas, Erongo, Ohangwena and Kavango regions.
In 2013, the HIV/TB rate stood at 45 percent compared to 47 percent in 2012.