Silver Spring, Maryland - A three-year project, valued at more than $740,000, will be implemented in the next three months by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office in Kazakhstan to combat the spread of tuberculosis (TB).

More than 1,000 persons, primarily newly released prisoners, will benefit from the project, which will provide four rehabilitation centers, counseling and referral, basic education and vocational training, and raise community awareness about TB. The number of indirect beneficiaries, such as family and friends that will be prevented from contracting the disease, is estimated at 29,000.

"There is a high incidence of TB in the prison system. When prisoners are released the disease often spreads to family, friends, and others who are in contact with them," stated LoNita Fattic, country director for ADRA Kazakstan .

"Some organizations are working within the prison system training and implementing the World Health Organization's recommended treatment. Also, a public health system exists that treats TB," said Fattic. "ADRA's project is designed to fill a gap between these two already existing services. These rehabilitation centers will facilitate the completion of TB treatment," Fattic continued.

Each year there are eight million new cases of TB and an estimated three million people die from the disease worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, nearly two billion people, one-third of the world's population, have TB.

ADRA is present in more than 120 countries providing individual and community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age or ethnicity.

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Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org