HC Deb 13 May 2004 vol 421 cc501-2W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reasons there has been slippage on his Department's public service agreement target to increase the tuberculosis case detection rate above 70 per cent. [172452]

Hilary Benn

The target to detect 70 per cent. of (smear positive) Tuberculosis (TB) cases globally by 2005 was set by the World Health Assembly and forms the basis for DFID's public service agreement target. Much progress has been made. In 2002 an estimated 37 per cent. of estimated new smear positive cases were notified under the internationally recommended control strategy for TB (DOTS), an increase from 27 per cent. in 2001 and halfway towards the 2005 target.

However, even with these encouraging recent trends at current progress the case detection rate will only be 50 per cent. by 2005. Concerted international action is needed to overcome challenges to scale up effective TB programmes in high burden countries, including strengthening political commitment, health systems, human resource capacity, primary health care provision, private sector and corporate sector contributions and working with poverty reduction strategies. DFID is committed to playing its role in accelerating progress towards the 2005 target as an active member of the Stop TB partnership.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what the latest tuberculosis cure treatment rate is in each of the countries covered by his Public Service Agreement target. [172454]

Hilary Benn

The cure rates for tuberculosis in 2001, measured by Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) treatment success rate in countries where DFID has a Public Service Agreement are listed in the 2004 World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Control report. Figures for 2002 are not yet available.

country Internationally recommended

control strategy for TB (DOTS)

treatment success rate

(Percentage)
Africa
Ethiopia 76
Democratic Republic of Congo 77
Ghana 42
Kenya 80
Malawi 70
Mozambique 77
Nigeria 79
Rwanda 161
Sierra Leone 80
South Africa 65
Lesotho 71
Sudan 80
Tanzania 81
Uganda 56
Zambia 75
Zimbabwe 71
Asia
Bangladesh 84
China 96
Pakistan 77
India 85
1 in 2000–01 figure not yet known