The Health Ministry will set up in 2006 treatment of Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR TB) patients in prisons, the Azerbaijani Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliayev told a ceremony dedicated to the 10th year of TB control in prisons in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
The Minister said that the MDR TB represents a significant threat to TB control in Azerbaijan. Shiraliyev said that MDR TB is an entirely human-made phenomenon. It is the result of poor therapeutic practices and patient non-compliance to treatment. In 2006 the Justice Ministry with support from the ICRC will for the first time provide treatment of MDR TB patients in prisons. Its successes will bring the possibility for the Ministry of Health to do the same for the civilian population in Azerbaijan, which also suffers from this complicated disease.
The Minister also said that at present all prisoners in Azerbaijan have access to free-of-charge high quality modern diagnosis and TB treatment. Prison mortality rates among new TB case have been drastically reduced.
During the celebration Mary Wernts, head of ICRC Delegation in Azerbaijan, stated the efficiency the joint struggle with tuberculosis. “I am optimistic today. Azerbaijan is ready and able to address this problem. The country has the resources needed to continue moving forward. The ICRC has already shifted its support to one of technical advice and capacity building with the Justice Ministry �s Medical Department,” she said.