Anaso – Angolan Network of AIDS Service Organizations and Major Endemic Diseases –, in a message on the World Tuberculosis Day, which is celebrated today, refers that the age group between 15 and 39 years old is the most affected by the disease in Angola.
According to the NGO, Angola is among the 30 countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis and this disease "is considered the third cause of death in the country", after malaria and road accidents.
The NGO warned that Angola "has limitations on first-line drugs", says Anaso, noting that the number of cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the country "is increasing".
"Data collection is poorly done. The dropout rate is high and the rate of HIV/tuberculosis co-infection is estimated at 12%", underlines the statement.
According to the non-governmental organisation, the population in Angola has little information about the disease and the follow-up of tuberculosis patients at home "is deficient".
"It's time to put an end to tuberculosis", argues Anaso, considering, on the other hand, that civil society organizations need to include community approaches in their interventions and health units must carry out diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.
Tuberculosis services "must be extended to the different health units in the country and drugs must always be available".
Anaso even recommends the creation of a fund to fight tuberculosis in Angola, noting that health "is an investment, not a cost".
The National Tuberculosis Program promotes a march in Luanda today, under the motto "Yes, We Can Put an End to Tuberculosis", to mark the event.
