Alert on drug resistant TB as new cases reported

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By Elizabeth Mwai

The Government has issued an alert over the alarming spread of the deadly multi-drug resistant tuberculosis pandemic.

Hundreds of Kenyans are feared to have contracted the killer disease, but may not be aware they have it.

Doctors warn that if the infected do not seek treatment immediately the death from the disease occurs within two months, but about two weeks if the patient is HIV positive. While the World Health Organisation estimates that the country has about 2,000 cases, the Government says there are about 401.

Medical Services PS James ole Kiyiapi said yesterday the Government could only account for 82 patients who are on treatment of the 401 reported cases.

"We do not know where the rest are, that is why there is need to conduct mapping so that their whereabouts can be established," he said.

Prof Kiyiapi said the cost of treating the resistant strain of TB ranged between Sh1.3 million and Sh3.3 million.

Kiyiapi said isolation and testing centres are in Nakuru Provincial General Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, Homa Bay and Moi Teaching and Referral hospitals.

The Parliamentary Service Commission vice-chairman Walter Nyambati said a law that would ensure patients adhere to drugs prescribed to them should be enacted.

Mr Nyambati said this would ensure patients took the drugs because they posed a risk to the public.