Health authorities in Zambia say cases of tuberculosis have grown fourfold in the past two decades. And they say most of those who have TB are also infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
A report by the Zambian government and the World Health Organisation says 68 percent of the TB cases are HIV positive. The report says the cases are especially widespread among the poorest in the country.
Health practitioners in this country sometimes complain that members of the public do not seek medical attention in the early stages of TB. They cite this as one of the contributing factors to TB-related deaths.
The Zambian government has, as a matter of policy, directed public health institutions to dispense TB drugs free of charge.
Reporter Kellys Kaunda reports on the link between AIDS and tuberculosis in Zambia.