Over 96% of tuberculosis patients in Nghe An are successfully treated.
(Baonghean.vn) - In 2018, tuberculosis control efforts were maintained at 100% in all districts, wards, and communes in the province; the rate of sputum testing per capita remained high (1.22%); and the success rate of treatment reached 96.6%...
These were the key points presented at the conference "Review of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Activities in 2018 and Implementation Plan for 2019," organized by the Department of Health in collaboration with Nghe An Lung Hospital on the afternoon of January 11th.
 |
| Mr. Dau Minh Quang, Director of Nghe An Lung Hospital, assesses the effectiveness of tuberculosis prevention and control work in the province over the past year. Photo: Dinh Nguyet |
According to World Health Organization statistics, Vietnam ranks 16th among the 30 countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis globally. In recent years, the tuberculosis situation in Vietnam has shown a downward trend; however, tuberculosis prevention and control efforts still face many challenges.
 |
| Representatives from health departments, health centers, and hospitals in the province attended the conference. Photo: Dinh Nguyet |
Over the past period, under the direction of the National Tuberculosis Control Program, the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Health, and the Nghe An Lung Hospital, various activities have been actively implemented: propaganda; detection, admission and treatment; training, supervision and support for lower-level facilities… As a result, the following activities have been carried out:All tuberculosis prevention and control activities in Nghe An province have been highly appreciated by the National Tuberculosis Control Program.
According to the Provincial Tuberculosis Control Program report, in 2018, the overall number of tuberculosis cases detected, enrolled, and managed was 2,319, including 1,163 patients with bacterial evidence; the rate of all forms of tuberculosis was 77.3 per 100,000 population.
Tuberculosis control efforts were maintained in 100% of districts and communes in the area, and the tuberculosis control network continued to develop; the percentage of the population tested for sputum was 1.22%; the success rate of treatment was 96.6%, and the dropout rate was 0.6%. The number of tuberculosis patients tested for HIV reached 98.3%. The number of childhood tuberculosis cases decreased compared to 2017, and the rate of children receiving preventive treatment was 67%. 37 cases of multidrug-resistant and pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis were detected, with 42 patients admitted for treatment, including 3 patients with pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.
 |
| Over 96% of tuberculosis patients in Nghe An are successfully treated. Photo: Dinh Nguyet |
At the conference, representatives from healthcare units highlighted the difficulties in tuberculosis prevention and control at the grassroots level, such as: limited funding for program activities, interrupted drug supply from the tuberculosis control program, limited public awareness of tuberculosis; changes in the district-level healthcare model affecting program activities; changes in grassroots staff, multiple responsibilities, and uneven qualifications; complex progression of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis; and limitations in screening and prevention of INH in children…
The performance targets set for 2019 were: Sputum testing rate/population: 1%; tuberculosis of all forms: 2,330 patients. Number of tuberculosis patients with bacteriological evidence: 1,140; successful treatment rate: over 90%; treatment dropout rate: under 0.6%.
At the same time, delegates also proposed solutions to improve the effectiveness of tuberculosis prevention and control in the future, focusing on:Key tasks include: Continuing to strengthen the tuberculosis control network and improve operational efficiency at all levels; promoting disease detection and diagnosis, increasing the sputum testing rate per capita; effectively implementing patient admission, treatment management, and counseling for HIV screening and testing for tuberculosis patients; and strengthening public awareness campaigns to educate people about the disease, combat stigma, and highlight the benefits of early access to screening services.
 |
| The Department of Health awarded certificates of commendation to the collective for outstanding achievements in tuberculosis prevention and control. Photo: Dinh Nguyet |
On this occasion, six collectives and seven individuals with outstanding achievements in tuberculosis prevention and control in 2018 were awarded Certificates of Commendation by the Department of Health.
