EUROPE/TURKEY - 15 million Turks suffer from TB, pandemic threatens to turn into an epidemic

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - In Turkey 15 million people suffer from tuberculosis. A much higher number than Europe and the US and the Turkish health ministry is trying to do something.
The situation threatens to become an epidemic. An increasing number of patients show resistance to treatment causing great concern in hospitals. The main concern is the impact of this health situation on the international scene. In fact Europe and the United States are watching the evolution of the phenomenon.
The greatest urgency is funds to train more medical personnel specialised in prevention. At present 18% of people with TB receive no treatment due to scarcity of funds, and only 74% of the people at risk are vaccinated.
(AP) (14/11/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:17; Parole:168)