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.
The number of cases of tuberculosis reported in Latvia during 1993 was 868, compared to 771 in 1992. The number of deaths increased at an even greater rate of 41 percent. In the first half of 1993, there were 1,296 new TB cases, and by the end of that year this figure had risen to 2,877. Latvia does not have a law that would require mandatory treatment for infectious cases of tuberculosis. The Department of Health submitted a proposal for such a law but no action has been taken. There are 11 state tuberculosis hospitals in Latvia that provide free care for those with active cases.