A fairly common myth is that tuberculosis is incurable. However, it is an absolutely curable disease. This was stated by Yana Terleeva, Head of the Department of Management and Counteraction to Tuberculosis of the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health, on the air of the telethon, reports UNN.
Let's debunk a fairly common myth that tuberculosis is incurable. Tuberculosis is an absolutely curable disease. Even according to WHO goals, at least 90% of people should recover from tuberculosis. Of course, the curability of tuberculosis largely depends on how timely a person seeks medical help.
She noted that in Ukraine people often seek help in more severe conditions, but even in such cases, doctors make efforts to ensure that everyone has a chance to recover.
We understand that in the context of a full-scale war, shelling, prolonged air raids, limited access to medical care, we are now seeing that people often seek help in more severe conditions, in fact, late treatment, but even in such cases, doctors make efforts to ensure that everyone has a chance to recover.
Terleeva also commented on whether the suspension of USAID funding affected the situation with medicines against tuberculosis in Ukraine.
Understanding the risks, thanks to the coordinated work of the Ministry of Health, the Public Health Center and a number of partners, we can say that this year we have no risks of interrupting access to medical care or providing anti-tuberculosis drugs. At least until the end of this year, all medicines are available. In April, we will place an order for 2026 so that patients, including those who are currently being diagnosed, have the opportunity to start and complete treatment, which is quite long.
According to her, if it is drug-resistant tuberculosis, the treatment lasts an average of 6-9 months.
In fact, we can say that these risks are leveled, but we understand that any reduction in international technical assistance may indeed have some negative consequences.
In addition, she spoke about the situation with vaccination with BCG vaccine.
Today, vaccination remains an effective way to protect children from developing severe, complicated forms of tuberculosis. Today, there are enough vaccines in all regions. Last year, we managed to cover 93% of newborns nationwide. The vaccination rates are quite high in the frontline territories.
But she noted that the indicator that the Ministry of Health had to achieve is at least 95%.
Although coverage levels have increased significantly, even when compared to the levels demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic or the first year of the war.
Addition
Terleeva reported that in Ukraine, tuberculosis remains a rather serious challenge for the public health system, but the situation is under control.