Azerbaijani health minister calls for expanded transcaspian effort to tackle tuberculosis Across Central Asia

Azerbaijani Health Minister Teymur Musaev has called for the transformation of the "Central Asia - Tuberculosis-Free" initiative into a broader Transcaspian effort in order to bolster regional cooperation in the fight against tuberculosis.

At the 5th Health Ministers' Meeting of the Turkic Council in Astana, which includes Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, Musaev highlighted the need for a regional approach to combat tuberculosis, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Musaev highlighted Azerbaijan’s significant progress in reducing tuberculosis cases by 40% since 2014. This success, he noted, is attributed to improvements in diagnostic quality and the introduction of molecular genetic techniques, which have enhanced the detection of drug-resistant strains. "Key epidemiological indicators have improved, with the rate dropping from 45 cases per 100,000 people to 25," he explained. The success rate for treatment now stands at 85% for drug-sensitive forms and 65% for resistant strains.

The minister also shared that Azerbaijan is developing a national strategy to combat tuberculosis through to 2030. However, he acknowledged the challenge posed by the disease’s constant mutation, underlining that conventional methods alone are unlikely to be successful.

"Whenever new mutations are identified, we continuously exchange experience with our colleagues. With that in mind, I wish today's initiative success and its eventual transformation into a Transcaspian effort," Musaev concluded.

By Aghakazim Guliyev