Vietnam is among 12 countries worldwide having the highest rate of tuberculosis (TB) patients, with about 100,000 new cases detected a year, local press reported Wednesday. The information was released at a recent conference to sum up a TB management project at general hospitals jointly conducted by the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization. Under the project, additional 7,000 TB patients were detected and the role of private healthcare in TB control was hailed, Vietnam\'s state-run news agency said. Implemented since 2010 on a trial basis, the project aimed to improve diagnosis and treatment capacity for doctors in Hanoi- based Bach Mai Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital in southern Ho Chi Minh City and Hue Central Hospital.