Funds to combat tuberculosis increased to $1,148,156 and HIV/AIDS funding is set at $1,118,065.
“It’s very fitting that Kiribati was given a bigger share of the funding, since the two virus are the country’s top priority,” said an official in Tarawa since Kiribati topped the region with its TB rate, and its per capita level of HIV/AIDS is second to Tuvalu, with 26 cases for a population of over 90,000.
These are only confirmed cases, which indicate the actual problem is likely far more severe. Various international health agencies state that for every confirmed HIV case there are five-to-10 additional HIV positive people unaware of their infection.
Of the 26 cases, 13 have died including children and infants.
In line with Kiribati’s national strategic five-year plan to deal with HIV, the campaign against is now reaching its treatment, care and support stage. For the TB eradication campaign, the direct observed treatment program is being used. This involves a health staff actually administering TB medication to individuals who are positive on a daily basis to ensure compliance.
