24 March, Vitebsk /Alena Tikhonova - BELTA/. There are 7 mobile "Pulmoexpress" units operating in the Vitebsk region. This was stated to journalists by Pavel Grede, Head of the Organisational and Methodological Office of the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Tuberculosis Dispensary, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The specialist emphasised that within the framework of the state programme "Tuberculosis", the material and technical base of the tuberculosis X-ray diagnostic service in the region has been re-equipped. Digital X-ray machines "Pulmoscan" and "Unican" have now been installed in all central district hospitals, replacing outdated fluorography units. "If just two years ago we only had two mobile fluorography units "Pulmoexpress", now there are 7. In addition to the three at the regional tuberculosis dispensary, mobile units are located in Orsha, Polotsk, and in the Vitebsk and Gluboksky districts," said Pavel Grede.
Comprehensive re-equipment of the region's phthisiatric service laboratories has also been carried out. "In 2012-2013, we received unique, expensive equipment that significantly reduces the time for tuberculosis diagnosis and the detection of drug resistance in patients. If previously this took about three months on average, with the modern "GeneXpert" apparatus, which we received at the end of last year, tuberculosis can be diagnosed in 2 hours," said the specialist, adding that medics in the region also conduct molecular genetic diagnostics using modern test systems "Hain-test" and "Bactec".
Pavel Grede stressed that in recent years, the overall incidence of tuberculosis in the region has decreased, and mortality has significantly reduced. "However, the problem remains tense due to the very high proportion of patients with multidrug resistance," said the specialist. He highlighted that every third newly diagnosed patient with bacillary excretion excretes Mycobacterium tuberculosis with multidrug resistance to the main anti-tuberculosis drugs, and in case of relapse, resistance is observed in 2/3 of patients.