Despite detente, sanctions on North Korea fan TB epidemic
(WorldNews Health)

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - Doctor O Yong Il swings open a glass door with a bright orange biohazard sign and gestures to the machine he hoped would revolutionize his life`s work. It`s called the GeneXpert and it`s about the size of a household microwave oven. As chief of North Korea`s National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Dr. O saw it as a godsend. Tuberculosis is North Korea`s biggest public health problem. With this American-made machine, his lab would be able to complete a TB test in just two hours, instead of two months. It took years, but Dr. O got the machines, only to discover that GeneXpert needs cartridges he can`t replace. It`s not entirely clear what about the cartridges...