Cecília Jorge
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - This week the Ministry of Health is reviving its publicity campaign "Tuberculosis Has a Cure" as part of the activities associated with World Tuberculosis Day, March 24. Brazil is one of the 22 countries that concentrate 80% of the global incidence of the disease. Each year 85 thousand Brazilian contract tuberculosis, and around 6 thousand die of the disease.

The Minister of Health, Humberto Costa, said that the government plans to invest US$ 43 million (R$ 119 million) to combat the disease through 2007. "If more resources are required, we shall make them available. What we want is for Brazil to occupy a much more comfortable position with regard to tuberculosis control by the end of this Administration's mandate," he affirmed.

Through the campaign the Ministry hopes to increase the number of diagnoses and patients who are treated. The cure rate currently stands at 71%. The goal is to raise it to at least 85%.

Translation: David Silberstein