Sustain strides made to curb spread of TB

Next week, Kenyans join the rest of the world in marking the World tuberculosis (TB) Day. It is a time to reflect on the successes and failures in our efforts to eliminate the disease, which has grown into a global pandemic.

TB, an infectious disease, is curable in much the same way as it is preventable. Sadly, TB cases have been increasing, compounded by the HIV/Aids crisis.

While Kenya has made positive strides in managing the disease, including supply of free medication in public hospitals, much more can be done to stop the suffering of thousands and stop others contracting the Multi-Drug Resistant strain.

There needs to be new strategies in reaching more patients and ensuring they are put on the medication. Emphasis should also be put on prevention, which would save on resources that can be directed elsewhere.

That Kenya’s application to the Global Fund for TB, malaria and HIV/Aids support was rejected is disturbing. The country must put its act together, find out where the problem is and ensure ‘accounting errors’ of a few individuals do not cause more deaths.

However, targeting TB alone will not solve the crisis. Health professionals say the rapid rise in TB cases is as a result of HIV infections. Indeed, TB and HIV appear to have formed a deadly partnership that has led to a surge in deaths. About half of all TB patients in Kenya are also infected with HIV.

High infection rates have been recorded among the poor, especially in slums where people are malnourished and cannot access clean water and health facilities. The battle against TB must therefore be multi-pronged with clear strategies to combat HIV and poverty.

We reiterate again that TB is preventable and curable. Nobody needs to die from TB.