TB cases in Malaysia dropped by two per cent in 2015 - Dr Subramaniam

Malaysia recorded a decline in tuberculosis (TB) cases by two percent when 24,220 cases were recorded last year compared with 24,711 cases in 2014.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the total number of TB deaths, however, was found to have increased by 5.8 per cent, from 1,603 deaths in 2014 to 1,696 cases last year.

In a statement released today in conjunction with World TB Day 2016 which is celebrated on March 24 every year, Dr Subramaniam said the disease is a problem and a health issue globally and not only in Malaysia.

He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that there are 9.6 million cases of TB worldwide rather than the six million cases reported.

"The Health Ministry strives to provide the best service to TB patients in particular and society in general," he said, adding that last year, a total of 253,955 people in the high risk group were screened, using chest x-rays.

Dr Subramaniam said the success rate of TB last year was 78 per cent, which means 16,493 patients were successfully cured and completed their TB treatment.

The Ministry of Health is in the process of preparing and implementing the National Tuberculosis Control Strategic Plan (2016-2020), he added.