Tuberculosis spreads in Pankisi Gorge

Tuberculosis spreads in Pankisi Gorge

Tbilisi. Media News

Inhabitants of the Pankisi Gorge are in danger of being infected with tuberculosis. According to the local population, this disease is being observed in children in the area and most of the families cannot afford the cost of treatment, further rehabilitation and needed foodstuffs. Moreover, Chechen refugees also reside in the gorge and their living conditions do not meet sanitary norms.

Media News was informed that, in the Akhmeti District Hospital, tuberculosis is spreading in children and there are cases of this disease being transmitted from Chechen Republic. All the infected people are registered and under observation.

The majority of Chechen refugees are unable to buy medicines or be x-rayed.

The post-treatment rehabilitation period which every infected person should undergo is even worse. This requires appropriate feeding, living conditions and resort-based treatment.  Chechen refugees lack all the above-mentioned, which creates the danger that tuberculosis may spread.

According to the data of “Tag,” a non-governmental organization, the spreading of tuberculosis in the Pankisi Gorge has not yet reached epidemic levels. Out of 3400 Chechen refugees examined there last year, only 15 turned out to be carrying the disease (9 children being among them). Two of the cases were transmitted earlier.

In nine villages of Akhmeti District, 20-25 more infected people are registered at the Tuberculosis Treatment Department yearly. According to “Tag” in view of spreading of tuberculosis, Pankisi Gorge is not much different from other regions of Georgia.