DUSHANBE, March 19, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Last year, labor migrants reportedly constituted some 17 percent of TB sufferers detected in Tajikistan last year.

Speaking at a press conference in Dushanbe, Deputy Health Minister, Sohibnazar Rahmonov, revealed on March 17 that 6,115 new cases of tuberculosis were detected in the country last year.  “1,026 of TB sufferers detected last year are labor migrants,” the deputy minister said.

According to him, 7,100 labor migrants that traveled outside the country for seasonal work last year underwent medical examination.  45 of them were tested positive for HIV and were sent for further medical examination and treatment, he said

“To improve the situation a working group of member nations of the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) has developed a common medical card (about health condition of labor migrant) that will be considered and approved this year,” Rahmonov said.