XN000022-1972-11-26 — Page 2

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Sunday, November 26, 1972

But it takes up to two years of tests and observation after the

treatment has stopped before the result is known.

So Hong Kong, which has an estimated 40,000 TB sufferers, has

undertaken a programme to get these results. At the moment 400 volunteer

patients are taking part in the project under strict control of TB

specialists. It is hoped that another 300 patients will eventually take

part in the programme.

All results are being fed back to Dr. Fox, a member of the British

Medical Research Council in London. Results of other tests with new drugs

are also being passed on to the specialist.

Advantages of the short-term treatment are obvious reduced

costs, time saving and more patients can be treated.

Last year more than 1,000 people died from TB, mostly affecting

the lungs, in Hong Kong. Many of these were over 40 and had not received

recent regular treatment for the disease.

A medical spokesman said the mumber of deaths from TB was dropping

each year.

In 1961, 2,100 died of the disease, and 10 years before that,

despite a smaller population, more than 4,000 were dying annually. Only

five years ago TB was the most common cause of death in Hong Kong, now it is

fifth with cancer the major killer.

But, he said, although significant advances had been made here the

disease was still a serious threat. He advised anyone who had a cough for more

than two weeks to attend a government clinic.

/He stressed ..................