Health ministry launches anti-TB campaign

CAIRO, March 24 (MENA) - Minister of Health and Population Dr Hala Zayed Sunday announced launching a new campaign to combat tuberculosis.

The campaign, titled "Time to Combat Tuberculosis", was launched marking the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day during a celebration held at the National Doctors Training Institute.

Chest hospitals offered medical services to around 3.155 million citizens last year and tested around 649,551 patients, 78,445 of whom were suspected TB patients, Zayed said.

Only 8,448 cases were detected in 2018 and the medical treatment was offered for free, she added.

The TB infection rate in Egypt has decreased by half compared to 1990 thanks to the successful national anti-TB program, she said.