DILI, 23 january 2023 (TATOLI)- National Control Tuberculosis (TB) detected 2,581 cases in 2022 and also provided preventive treatment in 2022.
Chief of TB control, Constantino Lopes said NCTB detected 2,581 TB cases in 2022, after the aggressive intervention made by the national control tuberculosis.
“We are working in very serious and rigorous intervention on TB. It is aggressive action conducted by NCTB to detect more TB cases across the Territories of Timor-Leste,’’ Chief of TB control, Constantino Lopes told Journalists at the CNE meeting room, Caicoli, Thursdays.
He added that TB cases are mostly detected at community and health facilities, health centers, referral hospitals, and municipal hospitals to ensure the effectiveness of TB screening activity for patients.
“It is required to have more TB tests for any people who are allegedly for any symptoms. The persons will be directly taken to the laboratory for diagnoses, and we also plan to add TB mobile vehicles to carry out screening activities in the community identified with the increasing number of TB. We will increase the capacity of diagnoses on TB screening equipment, including of X-Ray mobile for TB text close to the community,’’ He said
In the same venue, Mr. Lopes explained that National Control TB continued to provide preventive treatment measures for the patient’s family members to prevent the spread of the disease.
“NCTB provided two preventive measures composed of 3 months of treatment for less than 14 years old, which provide isoniazid TB Drugs, and the other measure for over 15 years old we provide rifampin or rifapentine for regularly taking for 3 months, all the patients that taking the medical treatment, 90% are recovered from the TB,”
NCTB registered 2581 TB patients in 2021 including patients with lung injuries.
This number of patients was recorded in Oeccusse Ambeno (RAEOA) while Dili recorded a high number of TB followed by Ermera, Liquica, Covalima, and Manufahi.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
