Drop in TB patients in Sri Lanka

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry launched its 10 year strategic plan to eliminate of TB from Sri Lanka within 2006 - 2015.

A total of 8,983 tuberculosis (TB) patients were reported from Sri Lanka in 2005 and it decreased by 700 patients last year to 8,283 the Health Care and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

The Government offers free medical examinations and treatment for suspected TB patients or patients with similar symptoms.

According to statistics, a TB patient who does not receive treatment infects 15 more healthy persons per year, he said.