Incidence of tuberculosis is steadily declining in Kyrgyzstan. Chief Specialist of Organization of Medical Care and Drug Policy Department of the Ministry of Health Aelita Ibraeva told 24.kg news agency.
According to her, the data voiced at the press conference does not correspond to reality.
«The tuberculosis incidence rate in the republic has decreased from 167.8 to 82.9 per 100,000 people for 18 years starting from 2001. Mortality from tuberculosis decreased from 27 to 4.6 per 100,000 people. The incidence rate among children in 2018 was 14.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 28.3 in 2015,» Aelita Ibraeva cited the official statistics.
As for drug-resistant tuberculosis, she added, the process is stabilizing.
«There is no growth. At least 1,200 patients (adults and children) undergo treatment in the anti-tuberculosis service. This figure remains at the same level in the last three years. New treatment methods show a good result. Therefore, we expect a decline in the near future,» the specialist said.
Earlier, a representative of the Public Council of the Ministry of Health, Aibar Sultangaziev, doubted the authenticity of the figures of the National Phthisiology Center. According to him, drug resistant tuberculosis incidence in children and teenagers is growing. If in 2017 there were only 34 such cases, then in 2018 there were already 83 registered. But this is not stated openly anywhere.
However, the Ministry of Health has other data: 39 children with drug-resistant tuberculosis were detected in 2017, and in 2018 — 48.
«The growth rate is associated with improved diagnostic methods. New, rapid molecular diagnostic methods have made it possible to detect TB in people, including children, at earlier stages of the disease and start treatment in a timely manner. As for the WHO statistics, its data are overestimated in all countries,» the ministry explained.
