Asia-Pacific urged to up fight against TB

The battle against tuberculosis (TB) in Asia and the Pacific needs to be prioritised by governments in the area, experts have claimed.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged authorities to increase provisions for their national health systems, especially when it comes to TB.

Problems such as a lack of finance and staff shortages are hindering the progress being made against the infectious disease, along with poor links between the public and private sectors.

Shin Young-Soo, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, said that the tools currently available "are not enough".

"The risk of an epidemic of TB that does not respond to drugs compels countries to take action," he stated.

"We cannot tackle multidrug-resistant TB when most laboratories lack sufficient number of skilled technicians, as well as tools to identify cases."

He went on to say that that thinking bigger in terms of treatments is the way to beat the disease.

One recommendation being made by WHO is for TB treatment to be made free of charge.

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