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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region Iraq has one of the highest rates of Tuberculosis (TB) in the region, with over 15,000 people affected in the country annually, says a report by the Iraqi government and the United Nations.

In a report published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday, the Iraq Ministry of Health reported that the country has the highest amount of TB rates in the region, which can be lethal if left untreated.

TB is a highly contagious bacterium that usually attacks the lungs but can also damage other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys or spine. It is an airborne bacterium spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

In cooperation with the World Health Organization and Health Cluster partners, IOMs Emergency Health Program has been supporting the Iraqi Ministry of Healths National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) since 2014.

The conflict in Iraq has created enormous humanitarian challenges, including placing additional strain on the health system, and the exacerbation of health needs, said IOM Iraqs Chief of Mission, Thomas Lothar Weiss. IOM Iraq is pleased to work together with Iraqs Ministry of Health and humanitarian partners to educate vulnerable populations about the risk of Tuberculosis and to support prevention and treatment.

IOM was selected this year to be the primary recipient of the Global Fund to provide support for Iraqi NTP. IOM and NTP collaborated to design a major TB program intervention aiming to control TB in Iraqis most vulnerable populations such Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Syrian refugees and returnees.

Between 2014 and 2017, more than 300 TB cases were detected by IOM at NTP heath facilities among IDPs and Syrian refugees in the Kurdistan region and Kirkuk.

However, Iraqs NTP recorded a total of 7,246 TB cases in 2016 alone with 305 cases identified being IDPs.

It was reported in 2015 by NTP that the total number of TB patients exceeded 8,000 individuals. Of those, 29 percent were completely cured, 62 percent successfully completed treatment, and 3 percent (240 people) died from TB. Other cases were transferred or did not complete treatment.

This year, NTP has confirmed a significant rise in TB cases, mostly due to TB patients fleeing Mosul who had no access to health care as well as IDPs in remote, hard to reach locations who have received delays in diagnosis and treatment.

To combat an outbreak of TB, IOM is increasing efforts by carrying out initial screening at IDP camps and within host communities.

Additionally, IOM is providing TB awareness campaigns, training more medical staff, providing support to TB screening facilities as well as early detection and diagnosis of TB cases in IDP camps and other emergency sites for Iraqs displaced.

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Report: Iraq suffering one of highest rate of TB in region - Rudaw