DUSHANBE, March 20, Asia-Plus - More than 1,000 new cases of tuberculosis have been officially reported in Tajikistan since the beginning of the year, Asia-Plus has learned from Sadullo Saidaliyev, head physician at the country''s tuberculosis prophylactic center.  

According to him, the southern province of Khatlon tops Tajikistan ’s regions susceptible to tuberculosis in terms of a number of cases of the disease.  “This is connected, first of all, with better detection of the disease following the launch of DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course) program,” Mr. Saidaliyev said, noting that with the beginning of implementation of the DOTS program, a WHO scheme to standardize the detection, treatment and reporting of TB cases, an early diagnostic of the disease in Khatlon has improved.   

In total, in Tajikistan , more than 13,000 TB sufferers have been reported in Tajikistan to date, according to data of country''s tuberculosis prophylactic center.  

Saidaliev named poverty, unemployment, poor housing conditions and nutrition, and rising drug abuse as factors contributing to the appearance of chronic forms of tuberculosis, an increased incidence of infection, and the spread of the disease.  

The country''s tuberculosis prophylactic center chief doctor says the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has awarded a grant of US$2.4 million for 2004-2009 to combat tuberculosis in Tajikistan .  “Of this amount, we have to date spent US$800,000 for treating the TB patients,” he said.