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Ethiopia

Ethiopia reduces MDR-TB related deaths by 70 pct

Adama April 17/2015 Ethiopia, among the top TB-burden countries, managed to reduce Multiple Drug Resistance TB (MDR-TB) related deaths by 70 percent,

The nation has also achieved the Millennium Development Goal related to reduction incidence, prevalence and mortality rate of all types of TB.

TB incidence, prevalence and mortality declined by 50.4 percent, 50 percent and 63 percent respectively, said Dr. Andargachew Kumsa Director for Disease Control and Prevention.

Accessibility of medications, community participation on prevention, and expansion of health services assisted for the success.

TB treatment, which some years ago was available in some public health institutions has now provided in 66 health institutions.

According to him, another 20 institutions will soon start to provide the treatment.

Despite this progress, 210,000 people in Ethiopia estimated to contract the disease every year.

According to WHO 2014 report, globally 480,000 people developed MDR-TB and 210,000 died every year.