The Ministry of health through the Division of Tuberculosis and other lung diseases organized by health partners every year on March 24th, brought together journalists, experts, and policymakers to discuss tuberculosis (TB) awareness and eradication strategies.
Under the theme “Commit, Invest & Deliver,” stakeholders explored innovative approaches to tackling TB, emphasizing the need for global commitment, sustained investment, and effective healthcare delivery
Mass screening and early diagnosis: A critical first step
Dr. Githuka from AMREF underscored the significance of community health initiatives in the battle against TB.
In a groundbreaking effort, over seven million people underwent screening, facilitating early TB diagnosis and timely treatment.
Experts at the conference urged governments to allocate more funds to TB-related programs and reinforce community health initiatives at the grassroots level. Early detection, they stressed, remains the cornerstone of TB eradication.
Voices from key stakeholders: A call for urgent action
Dr. Lenai, Head of Directory primary healthcare, addressed the growing threat of TB in overcrowded urban slums, where poor living conditions accelerate its spread. He highlighted the need for targeted interventions in these high-risk areas.
“There is still many diseases affecting marginalized groups and we should advocate more and look at there healthcare delivery in these places because they experience very different challenges”, he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdi Rahman, a WHO representative, stressed the importance of reaching marginalized communities, where access to healthcare remains limited.
He called for stronger advocacy and improved healthcare access, particularly for those living in extreme poverty.
Without urgent intervention, Dr. Rahman warned, TB patients would face a higher risk of relapse and severe complications.
Sustainable healthcare solutions must focus on early diagnosis, continuous treatment, and improved healthcare infrastructure.
TB and Children – The Hidden Vulnerability
During the session, alarming statistics on TB-related fatalities emerged. A key revelation was that every two hours, someone succumbs to TB. Among those most vulnerable are children, who often contract the disease from infected adults within their households.
Healthcare professionals stressed the need for targeted prevention programs focusing on childhood TB transmission to break the cycle of infection and protect future generations.
Expanding TB prevention efforts: A data-driven approach
Dr. Rose Oranje from the LIGHT Consortium presented compelling data on TB’s impact on men’s health, an area often overlooked.
The LIGHT Consortium, a research-based organization, uses data-driven insights to expand TB prevention programs. Their initiatives aim to reach more vulnerable populations and enhance TB awareness efforts.
Peter Odenyo from NEPHA highlighted the critical intersection between TB and HIV, emphasizing the urgent need for integrated treatment approaches.
At the community level, joint TB and HIV intervention programs are essential for ensuring comprehensive patient care and improving survival rates.
Overcoming challenges in TB awareness: The knowledge gap
Everlyn Iguchi, an advocate for TB awareness, drew an analogy comparing the fight against TB to a lead bull leaving its herd unprotected without proper knowledge, communities remain vulnerable to the disease.
She pointed out that a lack of awareness and misinformation contribute significantly to the continued spread of TB.
Strengthening county-level awareness campaigns and providing accurate information are key steps toward empowering communities in the fight against TB.
A collective effort to end TB
Despite significant challenges, the global community remains committed to eradicating TB. Experts and advocates at the conference emphasized that with unwavering commitment, increased investment, and effective healthcare delivery, the world can finally overcome this preventable and treatable disease. The time to act is now.
