Vitor Abdala
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - Brazil managed to cure between 75% and 77% of the tuberculosis cases detected in 2005. The recovery rate was 71% in 2003. According to Joseney Santos, coordinator of the National Tuberculosis Control Program, the goal is to reach the World Health Organization's (WHO) target of 85% by 2007.

According to Santos, around 70% of the approximately 85 thousand tuberculosis cases detected in 2005 are concentrated in 315 municipalities. Most of them are capitals or cities located in large metropolitan areas. The activities of the program will be intensified in these municipalities. One of the problems, according to the coordinator, is that some patients abandon treatment before completing it.

Santos and the national secretary of Health Surveillance, Jarbas Barbosa, met yesterday (30) in Rio de Janeiro with an international mission made up of representatives of foreign health agencies. The group will remain in Brazil until February 3, familiarizing themselves with what the Brazilian government is doing to control tuberculosis.

Translation: David Silberstein