Jim Higgins
Question:205 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who were diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis for each of the years from 1988 to 1993 to date.
Written Answers. - Tuberculosis Patients.
The number of cases of tuberculosis notified to my Department is as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Cases |
|
1991 |
635 |
|
1990 |
629 |
|
1989 |
672 |
|
1988 |
550 |
These figures are currently being validated. Information in respect of 1992 is presently being collected and is not yet available while information for 1993 will not be available until 1994.
A working party under the chairmanship of the chief medical officer of my Department is presently examining all aspects of tuberculosis including notification, surveillance, treatment and contact tracing procedures. Their aim is to ensure that there is an appropriate framework to deal with all problems associated with tuberculosis. I expect the group to present its report to me early next year and one of the issues which it is addressing is the need to have up-to-date and accurate information regarding new cases of tuberculosis.