| Description |
Until the middle of the 20th Century, tuberculosis was one of the most devastating infectious diseases known to man. The advent of modem medical technologies such as microscopy, radiographic examination, and antibiotic therapy contributed to the treatment and control of tuberculosis throughout the world. Relative economic stability in the developed world led to near eradication of the disease in economically prosperous countries. The political and economic instability of the latter part of the 20th Century have decreased world attention on important health issues such as infectious disease. Countries which were formerly economically prosperous have hit economic hard-times. Monies formerly designated for health care have been designated for other purposes, or have been lost to rampant corruption and graft. Tuberculosis has not been immune to the changing patterns of political budget-making. Tuberculosis treatment and prevention programs have suffered and there has been a resulting resurgence of tuberculosis world-wide. Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union are prime examples of the health care delivery crisis caused by political and economic turmoil. Infectious diseases were previously managed by an highly-structured and well-integrated socialized model of care. This health care delivery system was coordinated among different regions and republics of Russia and the former Soviet Union allowing for commendable continuity of care. Following the collapse of the Communist system, other systems and organizations, including health care 11 delivery, also crumbled. Destroyed by the lack of management and the lack of financial support from the central government, each region was forced to forge their own plan of care. Coordination of care among regions and countries ceased to exist. For tuberculosis and other diseases requiring long term care, the coordination provided by central management is essential to ensure that the treatment is completed. Incomplete care in Russia has led to drug resistant strains of tuberculosis which pose a potential threat not only to the former Soviet Union, but to the Western world as well. Financial and educational assistance must be provided in Russia to alleviate the epidemic tuberculosis that is placing a great strain on the local and regional health care systems. If the tuberculosis crisis is not quickly addressed, it promises to cause political, economic, and health repercussions in Russia and the Western world. |
