Faced with an increase in TB cases, the MSP changes the way it approaches treatment



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Ten years ago, in Uruguay, the incidence of tuberculosis was 16 cases per 100,000 population. Today, the number has risen to 26, according to Jorge Quian, undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) Tuesday at a press conference. The disease is more common among people aged 25 to 34, although the fastest growing age group is children under five, which is a concern for the authorities.

With the intention of reversing the trend, the ministry undertook to implement a new plan to address the pathology. "This administration considers tuberculosis as another infectious disease, the absolute responsibility of health providers, public and private," he said and explained the spirit of the new approach proposed by the Ministry to the disease. .

The Honor Commission for Tuberculosis Control, an institution that historically badumed the responsibility of badisting all infected patients, will continue to be a reference entity for pathology, but diagnosis, Treatment and follow-up will be exclusively of the first level of attention, that is to say the doctors of each health provider, public or private.

"We are convinced that if we continue to do the same, the numbers will not change and Uruguay should again become a country with a low incidence of the disease," Quian said.

Tuberculosis is a disease that, if not treated in time, is likely to cause death. In Uruguay, 6 out of 10 patients are diagnosed late because many times, according to Quian, doctors themselves do not recognize pathology as a possible diagnosis. "It must change too," insisted the hierarch.

Pathology is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs with certain bacteria. It is easily transmitted from one person to another by the air. Cough and fever are typical symptoms and the problem is that many people are unaware of their potential risk. When respiratory discomfort continues uninterrupted for 15 days, the patient should consult urgently and require a study of the disease.

Change of course

Fernando Arrieta, director of the tuberculosis program that implements the MSP, pointed out that it is necessary to change the "verticality" with which he approached tuberculosis. "The commission carried out all the actions related to tuberculosis and now it has to go to the office, at the first level of care," said the director and commented on the decentralization strategy at the level of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

As he pointed out, the commission will continue to develop an active role, distributing drugs among health care providers and subsidizing patients' travel expenses so that they can transfer to receive treatment, among other activities.

"With the new approach, we seek to reduce the incidence of the disease by 90% by 2035," said the director. To achieve this, in addition to changing the focus of the program, the ministry has provided training to health personnel in high-prevalence areas and plans to continue educating technicians and public servants.

The most vulnerable

Arrieta reported that pathology is more common in poor neighborhoods. In the capital, the most contagious zones are those corresponding to municipality A, from La Teja to Pueblo Victoria, via Paso de la Arena, Casabó, New Paris and Pajas Blancas, and those from municipality D, which includes neighborhoods like Manga, Piedras Blancas, Casavalle, Borro, Marconi. In these two municipalities, almost half of the TB cases detected throughout the country are registered.

In any case, tuberculosis is not exclusive to poor neighborhoods or the public health sector. Arrieta reported that 7 out of 3 cases are diagnosed in private providers.

Prisoners, HIV-positive patients and partners of infected people are the three groups that show greater vulnerability to the bacteria, although the authorities insist on the concept of "breaking stigmas" and understand that this pathology can manifest at any user. health system

Geographically, the departments that reveal the highest rate of the disease, outside the capital, are: Maldonado, Paysandú and Soriano.

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