Iran reduces tuberculosis cases, still seeks undiagnosed patients
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Qobad Moradi, from Iran’s Ministry of Health, announced that Iran has lowered the rate of tuberculosis within its borders, performing better than many countries in the region.
Moradi stated the World Health Organization estimates approximately 9,600 people in Iran currently have tuberculosis, meaning some cases are still going undetected. Health officials prioritize screening people who have close contact with known patients, transplant recipients, those on immunosuppressants, homeless individuals, and marginalized communities. Iran is also working to improve treatment success rates.
Though the goal is a 90 percent success rate for treatment, the country currently achieves around 84 percent. Officials hope to address this by focusing on better patient care. Approximately 15 million people in Iran carry latent tuberculosis, meaning they have the infection but are not currently sick or contagious. The country provides free diagnosis and medical services for tuberculosis treatment.
However, global reductions in health funding and increasing drug resistance, especially in Europe, threaten progress against the disease worldwide, as do ongoing conflicts in several regions.
