Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - March 12, 1999
The four countries also face a growing threat from HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases as health structures crumble due to endemic poverty.
"It is those already weakened by poverty and disease who are most vulnerable to TB," explains B÷rje Sj÷kvist, head of the International federation's Moscow delegation. "Our programme targets the sick and their families, the homeless, alcoholics and malnourished."
Some 6,000 visiting nurses - including more than 1,000 who will receive special training - are at the heart of the campaign, bringing hope, succour and a friendly face to the afflicted.
The programme will also provide beneficiaries with hot meals and warm clothes. Underpinning these initiatives will be a massive public awareness and education efort, enhancing information on combating TB in the home, workplace, schools, hospitals and all public places.
"Our overall aim is to turn back the advance of this killer disease," stresses Sjokvist. "In Russia, for instance the number of cases has doubled during this decade and the outlook is very bleak elsewhere in the region unless we take action now."
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