CSO <F P=106> [Article by Anda Mikelsone: "Number of Tuberculosis Cases in </F> Latvia Increases"] [Text] Riga, Feb.4. There has been an increase in tuberculosis morbidity and mortality during the past year. In comparison with 1992, tuberculosis morbidity has increased by 14.8%, and mortality -- by 44%. The total number of tuberculosis cases in 1993 was 868, while in the 1992 -- it was 771. Inta Pavlovska, director of the data processing and registry division of the State Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Center informed DIENA that the increase in tuberculosis morbidity could be related to the poor socioeconomic conditions in the nation, as well as shortcomings in the legislative process. At the present time, there are no laws in Latvia that would require infectious cases of tuberculosis to undergo mandatory treatment. In November of the past year, the Department of Health of the Ministry of Welfare submitted a medical legislative proposal to the Cabinet of Ministers, which would require infectious cases of tuberculosis to undergo mandatory treatment, explained I. Pavlovska. To this day, the proposal to the Cabinet of Ministers has still not been reviewed. At present, Latvia has 11 state tuberculosis hospitals, providing treatment for tuberculosis cases free of charge. The newest of these -- Ceplisi (in Ogre rayon), only started operations in January of this year. Most of the patients there, however, are chronic alcoholics who suffer from tuberculosis.
Over the past year there has been an increase in tuberculosis morbidity and mortality in Latvia. Morbidity increased by 14.8 percent and mortality by 44%. The total number of infectious cases was 868, up from 771 in 1993. The State Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Center attributed the increases to poor socioeconomic conditions and the slow legislative process. Proposals to pass laws requiring mandatory treatment of infectious cases of TB have not been acted upon. Latvia has 11 state tuberculosis hospitals providing free treatment, including the newest, Ceplisi, which began operations in January and primarily is treating chronic alcoholics infected with the disease.