Are the French sufficiently concerned about tuberculosis?

[11 October 2006 - 16h20]
[mis à jour le 12 October 2006 à 16h20]

The Stop TB initiative is a global partnership fighting against tuberculosis and has 463 members – governments, NGOs and enterprises. But in France apparently fewer than 8 “official” partners are confirmed stakeholders in this venture…

Unlike Britain, which has no fewer than 19 partners. “It’s true that we only have 8 officially registered partners in France (Destination Santé being one), commented the partnership’s Executive Secretary Marcos Espinal. “But they represent only a part of the many French partners with whom we are working, although they may not have registered on our website. On the other hand, it is clear that we need more partners in France”.

And with good reason. Tuberculosis is doing well in France. Each year, 6,000 new cases are reported, a figure that has shown no decrease during the last 5 years. And 700 people die from the disease. The prevalence rate stands at around 10 per 100,000. Which is already high. Those in the front line are the most deprived, and migrants coming from countries where tuberculosis is endemic. There are also considerable disparities between the different regions of the country. Ile-de-France alone – near Paris, where the population density and the number of disadvantaged people are highest –accounts for over half the cases reported in the country!

Source : interview with Dr Marcos Espinal, 27 September 2006

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