Tuberculosis on the rise in Belize
It is not one of those diseases that get much publicity in Belize, primarily because of the successful containment and control programmes implemented by the Ministry of Health. But tuberculosis is an ever present, and potentially deadly infectious disease. Today, the National Tuberculosis program hosted an open day in the parking lot of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Family Nurse Practitioner Louise Neal says celebrating World T.B. Day gives the public an opportunity to get critical information regarding treatment and prevention.
Louise Neal, Family Nurse Practitioner
“This day is set aside for patients with T.B and today what we are doing is giving health education, not only to those patients, but the general public so that they can be more aware of tuberculosis and get the necessary information.”
Patrick Jones
“When you talk about tuberculosis, is the disease in Belize?”
Louise Neal
“Yes, we have quite a few cases of tuberculosis patients in Belize. We have them all in the districts and here in Belize City. We have a chest clinic at the Cleopatra White Health Centre and people who have tuberculosis go there to get their treatment.”
Patrick Jones
“What is T.B.?”
Louise Neal
“It is an infectious disease of the lungs, usually affects the lungs, but it can affect the brains, the bones, the lymph nodes, the spinal cord, and the kidneys.”
Patrick Jones
“Is there a cure for it, and is that cure available in Belize?”
Louise Neal
“Yes, there is a cure and that cure is available here in Belize. The treatment lasts for at least six to eight months and we have a new strategy that we are using to cure T.B. This strategy is called the DOTS strategy whereby people who come to the clinic, who are infected with tuberculosis or who have the disease, come and we supervise them while the get their treatment.”
Neal says that last year one hundred and twenty people were diagnosed with tuberculosis in Belize. This year over eighty cases have been diagnosed so far countrywide, and Neal says the expectation is that by year’s end the 2003 figures will be easily eclipsed.
