On March 23, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Tuberculosis incidence in the Vitebsk region decreased by 2.5% in 2011, amounting to 36.7 cases per 100,000 population, the chief physician of the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Tuberculosis Dispensary (VOKPTD), chief freelance phthisiatrician of the Vitebsk region, Svetlana Gapanovich, told a BELTA correspondent. "This is the lowest tuberculosis incidence rate among all regions of the republic," noted Svetlana Gapanovich, adding that the Brest region ranks second with a rate of 37.1 per 100,000 population. Minsk leads with 23.7. In general, positive trends are observed in the region in other areas related to tuberculosis incidence. Thus, over the past year, mortality from this disease decreased by 4.9%, and the number of patients detected with primary multidrug resistance decreased by 2.5%. The proportion of patients detected with destructive lung processes decreased by 3%, and the primary disability rate due to tuberculosis decreased by 26%. The number of patients registered for active tuberculosis decreased by 11.5%, meaning a reduction in the overall reservoir of infection. The chief phthisiatrician of the region recalled that the only way to detect tuberculosis in its early stages is through fluorographic and bacteriological examination. As part of the implementation of the state program "Tuberculosis," work continues in the region to replace old film fluorographs with modern low-dose digital X-ray computer systems. In 2011, for this purpose, 3 mobile modern units were purchased for Polotsk, Oshany Central City Hospitals and VOKPTD, as well as 4 stationary units for Vitebsk Polyclinic No. 1, Orsha Polyclinic No. 2, Polotsk Central City Polyclinic and Miory Central Regional Hospital. In total, there are currently 6 mobile and 33 stationary units in the region. Significant resources are allocated annually to combat tuberculosis. Thus, for 2012, approximately Br1.7 billion will be allocated from the local budget for the purchase of drugs, medical equipment, supplies and diagnostic equipment, and the modernization of phthisiatric institutions in the region.-0-

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