Chan, who attended the Ninth World Conference to Prevent Injury and Promote Security held in Merida, main city of Yucatan State, said that slow diagnoseshave caused 39 percent of cases to not be detected on time.

The WHO director stated that while several national anti-tuberculosis programs increase effectivity, most Third World countries lack equipment and sufficient supplies to carry out a rapid diagnosis.

She noted in her speech that "we must benefit patients as soon as possible, because effective treatment can reduce contagion."

(www.cmhw.cu)