Tuberculosis rife in West Java

Tuberculosis rife in West Java

BANDUNG, West Java: An estimated 364,800 people suffering
tuberculosis across the province badly need medical treatment,
otherwise many more will be infected, a health official warned
yesterday.

Marwan Awaludin, chairman of the Association for Tuberculosis
Eradication, said medical treatment for patients will cost Rp 36
billion (US$17 million).

Awaludin said the high prevalence of contagious tuberculosis
has to do with the fact that the bulk of West Java's 38 million
population have low educational and economic status.

He said sufferers of tuberculosis increased by 96,000 every
year. (pet/pan)