HIV overwhelms Africa with TB
2005-03-23 10:21
Johannesburg - HIV-related tuberculosis in Africa is thwarting global attempts to control the disease, the Massive Effort Campaign (MEC) said on Wednesday.
In Uganda ten percent fewer infectious TB patients were detected and cured in 2003, compared with four years ago, Patrick Bertrand, of the international health organisation said.
"In Nigeria, 105 000 people died of TB last year - more than any other African country," said Bertrand.
He said HIV was overwhelming Africa with TB cases.
The statistics came from a report issued using data from the World Health Organisation, Bertrand said.
However, he said the Democratic Republic of the Congo has managed to cure nine percent more cases of infectious TB in 2003 than in 2000 - "despite absolute poverty, a high incidence of HIV and chronic civil conflict".
- SAPA