TB at European Gates-Turkey

The combination of a well-established civil society (in 1918 a Turkish anti-TB association already existed) and functioning Government health facilities makes Turkey an example among those countries where tuberculosis (TB) still constitutes a health problem.
On one side poor and old people affected by TB are supported by NGO’s like the Turkish anti-TB Association that provides food, economical incentive and clothing. On the other side a network of 258 TB dispensaries, chest disease hospitals, regional hospital and TB laboratories, in most cases give patients proper diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Direct Observed Treatment (DOT), a WHO strategy to guarantee constant daily medicines to the patients, has been well implemented in some areas like Nazilli (not yet in the East of the Country), where trained help workers provide home treatment to people that for different reasons, cannot go to the TB dispensary daily.
Much more has to be done, like training of specialized staff, DOT extending strategy to the remote areas and raising awareness of part of the population, but the notified cases of TB have constantly decreased in the last 25 years and good results have been achieved.