A one-year-old child undergoing treatment in an Astana children's hospital has contracted tuberculosis. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the child's father, the infant contracted an open form of tuberculosis from a nurse at the Multidisciplinary Children's Hospital No. 1 in Astana. In April, the child was hospitalized for a week with a diagnosis of severe bilateral pneumonia and was later discharged home.
However, some time later, an open form of tuberculosis was detected in one of the nurses at the same hospital. Consequently, all children treated at the hospital were re-examined. During the examination, a spot was found in the child's lungs, and he received treatment for two weeks. Subsequent medical tests confirmed a diagnosis of tuberculosis. The child is now undergoing treatment at a specialized dispensary with his mother.
The child's parents plan to seek legal assistance. The Astana City Public Health Department announced that an investigation has been launched into the incident. The department's statement reads: "The Astana City Public Health Department announces the creation of a special commission to clarify the circumstances of the child's tuberculosis infection. The commission includes outsourced chief specialists of the World Health Organization – a pediatrician, a phthisiologist, a pulmonologist, as well as a specialist in radiology and functional diagnostics." Additionally, specialists from the National Scientific Center of Phthisiopulmonology and the Astana City Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control have been involved in the commission's work. Relevant inspections are currently underway.