Seoul set to eliminate TB by 2030

The country's prevalence and morality rates are among the highest in the world. Last year alone, there were 35,000 new cases. The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention will spend 50 million euros to seek to eradicate the problem.

Seoul (AsiaNews) – South Korea has one of the highest rates of f tuberculosis (TB) in the world and it aims to eliminate it completely by 2030 with prevention and financial aid to patients and treatment facilities.

The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced a plan to gradually eradicate the disease by providing financial aid to the patients as well as increasing personnel and facilities treating infectious diseases.

According to official data, there were 35,269 new TB cases in Korea last year; this is the highest figure among the 30 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Korea also had the largest number of TB fatalities with 2,948 last year.

"Although TB is one of the most deadly diseases and is highly infectious, many people are not aware of its danger and ways to prevent it,'' said Kim Hwa-hyun, a health ministry official. "Despite its deadliness, it can be cured. It is time for the government to help those impoverished TB patients who cannot afford treatment fees.''

As a first step, the centre will spend 53.8 billion won [around 50 million euros] to reduce the current TB rate of 390 per one million people to 293 by 2010. The centre will also boost treatment facilities for infected people.

The centre will also increase monitoring of people at risk, like homeless and prisoners, to prevent the spread of infection.

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