50 TB cases in one month, could increase fast: report

12 cases of deaths recorded

KUWAIT CITY, June 14: There are 50 patients suffering from tuberculosis (TB) in Kuwait and they are receiving treatment from the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center in Sabah specialized medical zone, reports Aljarida daily quoting informed sources from the health sector.

They explained that 27 male and 23 female patients suffering from TB were admitted in the center in May 2018. They belong to different nationalities such as Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Bangladesh, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Ethiopia and Cameroon.

According to a report issued previously by Public Health Sector in Ministry of Health, the number of patients suffering from TB in 015 was 411.

In other words, more than 9 out of every 100,000 residents in Kuwait suffer from TB, from a total of 4.2 million residents including 1.3 Kuwaitis.

The number of Kuwaitis suffering from TB in 2015 was 48, which is an average of more than 7 per 100,000 individuals. More than 363 expatriates suffered from TB in 2015, which is an average of about 12.4 cases per 100,000 individuals.

In addition, 12 cases of death due to TB were registered in 2015 including two Kuwaitis.

The average period of stay of a patient in the hospital is more than 38 days.

The sources revealed that the recent data of May 2018 reveal over 50 cases of TB infection were registered within just one month, indicating that if this rate continues, the numbers can reach over 600 this year, which is an increase of about 25 percent.