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.
Latvia experienced an increase of 14% in tuberculosis morbidity and 44% in mortality in 1993 as compared to 1992. Inta Pavlovska, of the State Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Center, said the increase may be related to poor socioeconomic conditions and the fact that no laws require mandatory treatment of infectious cases. In November of last year a proposal was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers to require mandatory treatment of such cases. To date the proposal has not been reviewed. Presently Latvia has 11 state tuberculosis hospitals; the latest opened in January of this year, treating mainly chronic alcoholics suffering from tuberculosis.