University of Nairobi hosts World TB Day commemoration

Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has reaffirmed the government’s commitment in advancing national Tuberculosis (TB) response by strengthening diagnostic capacity through free screening and treatment all over the country.

Speaking at this year’s World TB Day hosted at the University of Nairobi (UoN) under the theme; Yes! we can end TB. Led by government, driven by communities, the CS added that Kenya has made commendable progress with a 45% decreased rate of the disease incidence and a 58% reduction in TB related deaths since 2018.

“The Ministry of Health is working with county governments and partners and have scaled up TB services across all our 47 counties. We have strengthened a diagnostic capacity by deploying the molecular tests and the ultra-portable digital X-ray machines enabling early and accurate detection even in some of the most remote parts of our country,” the CS said.

He stressed on the need for cross-sectional approach to deal with socioeconomic factors that are drivers of TB transmission such as poverty, environmental exposure, overcrowding and lack of access to medical facilities to eradicate the disease.

“Ending TB requires a coordinated whole government response that addresses both the medical and social drivers of the disease. We as govt are strengthening efforts across sectors to improve the living conditions, enhance nutrition, promote safe and healthy environments and expand access to screening and care in high-risk settings,” Hon. Duale said.

According to the CS, this integrated approach tackles the root causes of TB while ensuring that services are accessible, equitable and very responsive to the needs of all Kenyans

The CS revealed that 63% of all notified TB cases occur among men and stressed upon the need of a targeted gender responsive approach to improve their health seeking behavior and to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

UoN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, was represented at the event by DVC Research, Innovation and Enterprise Prof.  Leonidah Kerubo who reaffirmed the university’s commitment to ending TB and improving lung condition treatment.

In her address, State Department Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni urged the public to end stigma to promote prompt TB service access.

“TB is preventable, TB is treatable and TB is curable,” the PS said.

Speaking at the event, World Health Organization (WHO) representative Dr. Neema Kimambe called for increased empowerment of communities to support the advancement of TB eradication in the country.

In his remarks, Hon. Dr. James Nyikal, Chair of the Parliamentary Health Committee cited declining external funding as a barrier in the fight against TB. He called on the national treasury to allocate funds to supplement the allocated budget and also protect the existing budget from cuts.

CSOs representative and TB champion Mr. Philip Nyakwana called on the government to fund and support community systems and to treat stigma of TB patients as a public health emergency.

“We need the political will attached with a price tag, fund and support the community systems, we request the government to address stigma as a public health emergency as it as a barrier to access of TB treatment,” Mr. Nyakwana said.

The commemoration event was held to strengthen tuberculosis awareness, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment adherence.