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Russia makes major breakthrough in reducing tuberculosis deaths — minister

Just in 2016, tuberculosis deaths fell by 17%, Russian Healthcare Minister Veronika Skvortsova said

TULA, March 24. /TASS/. Russia has made a breakthrough over the past ten years in reducing deaths from tuberculosis (TB), Russian Healthcare Minister Veronika Skvortsova told reporters on Friday.

"Over the past ten years, we have lowered death rates caused by tuberculosis by 60% in our country. We are absolute leaders around the world… Just in 2016, the deaths fell by 17%," Skvortsova said.

Besides, cases of TB have fell by 30% and Russia continues to improve methods for treating tuberculosis, including its most aggressive and drug-resistant forms.

"Techniques, allowing to estimate sensitiveness to drugs from the very beginning, have been applied to each (patient)," she said. "And up-to-the-minute treatment protocols have been introduced as well."

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