Tuberculosis in Hackney

Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott called for urgent action on the problem of tuberculosis in Hackney during a parliamentary debate last week.

After the debate she said “Tuberculosis is one of the most serious public health issues facing Hackney. In the nineteen eighties tuberculosis had been virtually eliminated in Britain. But we have seen a big resurgence in recent years. Now Britain has one of the highest levels of TB in Western Europe and City and Hackney has one of the highest levels of TB in the country. There is much good work being done in Hackney around TB. But my concern that because it affects socially excluded groups like sex-workers, drug addicts and the homeless it is too easy to sweep the problem under the carpet. These groups are unlikely to be registered with a GP and they keep away from the authorities. So to make sure that they get the treatment, and the follow-up, more resources have to be put into outreach to these vulnerable communities”.

 During the debate Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo agreed to meet with Diane to discuss this important issue.

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For more information please call Caitlin Farrow on

020 7219 4426 or email farrowc@parliament.uk  

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