Exclusive interview with Tadataka Yamada

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-04-02 17:20

The detection, diagnosis and treatment of TB is to be boosted in 20 Chinese cities, helping around 50,000 sufferers each year, thanks to a new partnership between central government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Ministry of Health formalized a deal yesterday that will see the foundation donate $33 million over the next five years to help wipe out the disease in Beijing.

Dr. Tadataka Yamada

M.D. President of Global Health Program of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation [Wu Chuangjing/chinadaily.com.cn]

"This tuberculosis control program aims to establish an effective prevention model through the exploration of new diagnostic tools and methods," said Health Minister Chen Zhu.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Gates yesterday, applauding his help for China in HIV/AIDS and TB prevention and treatment.

The new techniques to be piloted include drug combinations to reduce the number of pills used each day by 70 percent, and strategies to help patients take medicine regularly with text messages and kits with built-in alarms.

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