A new strategy for tuberculosis control in North Korea.

Young-jeon Shin,Nackmoon Sung,Moran Ki

doi:10.4178/epih/e2015053

Young-jeon Shin, Nackmoon Sung

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4178/epih/e2015053

Copy DOI

Abstract

Tuberculosis is one of the most prevalent diseases in North Korea. Despite some positive accomplishments by current aid projects, it is still necessary to investigate the existing aid system. The following are necessary for improvement: sustaining a high degree of expertise, cooperation among various related parties including the international community, mediation to induce this cooperation, a more active role of the South Korean government, and encouragement of North Korea to more actively participate. Achieving these will help solve the issues of current tuberculosis aid projects in North Korea and lead to more successful outcomes.

Highlights

Tuberculosis is one of the most prevalent diseases in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
For effective reconstruction of the North Korean tuberculosis control system, in this study we aimed to investigate the problems of the existing system and to find out strategic methods for improvement
Political subjects and suggestions: medicine or poison? While tuberculosis aid projects in North Korea are in need, these good-will efforts can become “poison,” rather than “medicine,” unless organized properly

Summary

Introduction

Tuberculosis is one of the most prevalent diseases in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (hereafter North Korea). Tuberculosis receives targeted control efforts under the command of Il-Sung Kim. A management and treatment delivery system independently contributes to the control of tuberculosis, along with hepatitis, in North Korea. It has been known that the North Korean government had effectively controlled tuberculosis until the end of the 1970s. Tuberculosis shows especially high prevalence and incidence in regions with poverty and famine. Economic and international political difficulties in North Korea at the end of the 1980s were followed by a great famine at the end of the 1990s, which resulted in the failure of tuberculosis control. Tuberculosis requires long term, vigilant treatment, involving plenty

Objectives

Conclusion