TB cases decline in Medan

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The number of people suffering from tuberculosis (TB) in Medan is expected to drop to around 6,000 this year from 10,000 in 1996, a health official said.

Sjahrial Anas of the Indonesian Tuberculosis Eradication Association did not explain why he predicted the decline.

Sjahrial told Antara however that TB could be cured within six to nine months through regular checkups. He noted that only 46 percent of TB sufferers bothered to do this.

Sjahrial was speaking during a checkup for Medan's taxi drivers which was jointly organized Sunday by the association and the Lung Disease Treatment Center.

"TB is a contagious, not a hereditary disease. It can attack any one. In Indonesia the prevalence is three per thousand citizens", said Rusda Nukman of the lung treatment center. (10)