More people receive TB in NW

The number of people receiving TB medication and antiretrovirals has increased in North West in the past three years, the provincial health department said.

"The fight against TB in the North West Province continues to record positive outcomes," said spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane in a statement.

"In the past three years the province has improved integrated care to patients that are co-infected with both TB and HIV from 18% in 2008 to an impressive 38% in 2010."

Lekgethwane said the province's treatment outcome also improved from 40,3% to 63,7% (over 20% cure rate) with patients defaulting treatment also showing a decrease from 10.8% to 8.3%.

TB now accounts for 7% of deaths in the province.

"This is an improvement from 8.2% recorded in 2009.

"TB infection control is being prioritised in health care facilities across the province and ultra violet lights have been installed in health facilities to prevent the spread of TB," Lekgethwane said.

(Sapa, March 2011)

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