Significant progress has been made to contain the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in China, but the disease is not yet under control, Health Minister Chen Zhen said this week.

The Beijing-based Health News, produced by the Ministry of Health, quoted Chen as saying that TB prevention and treatment campaigns had demonstrated initial success and also been praised by the international community.

"We have to face up to the problem and be ready for new challenges ahead of us," Chen told a workshop on TB containment on Tuesday.

"We cannot be complacent about our prevention work, and efforts have to be stepped up even more in the future."

Although it kills more 130,000 Chinese every year, TB can be cured with timely treatment, the ministry has said.

Many of the casualties are a result of people contracting the drug-resistant strain of TB, which is mainly caused by delayed medical treatment.

Official figures show that drug resistance occurs in 28 percent of China's TB patients.

Many people are afraid to seek treatment for fear of losing their jobs, experts have said.

Chen urged governments at all levels to increase efforts to monitor and contain new outbreaks, ensure there is enough investment in preventative programs, and improve training for health professionals.

In 2001, the government allocated 40 million yuan (US$5.4 million) a year to fund free examinations and treatment for people infected with TB.

All citizens can access these medical services through their local TB prevention and treatment organization.

(China Daily December 20, 2007)