The National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Mozambique, 1985-1990.

The structure, manpower and tasks of the Tuberculosis Programme (ELAT) in Mozambique are explained. The activities are organised on three levels (ministerial, provincial and district). From 1985 to 1990 (1st half) 59,339 cases were detected. Of them, 32,978 were new smear-positive, 17,772 new smear-negative, 5,664 relapses and 2,425 extra-pulmonary cases. Results achieved by 3 regimens used by the Programme varied on average from 55% for the standard, 77% for the short-course and 72% for the retreatment regimen. The Programme is run by paramedical staff and no specific personnel exists in the districts. To upgrade the few personnel involved in the ELAT, supervision and training are considered as backbones of the Programme. The country suffers from a devastating war, which has aggravated the poor transport network, reduced accessibility to remote areas, hampered regular supervision and makes distribution of supplies irregular and very expensive, since drugs, reagents, forms and spare parts have to be sent by air or sea. In spite of all these terrible misfortunes, results achieved show that it is possible to diagnose and treat cases under such condition.