MZIMBA-(MaraviPost)-Mzimba South District Hospital is wining the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) amid high prevalence of HIV and migration.
This comes as more TB cases are being detected easing the pressure of further spread of the diseases among the locals.
Mzimba South DHO Lab Technician Chrispin Kaperemera told media tour recently that the district collects 100 TB sputum samples that 10 are diagnosed with the disease monthly.
Kaperemera disclosed that there is high prevalence rate of young people diagnosed on TB saying many teens and adolescences are unwilling to go for tests.
“We collect over 100 TB sputum samples monthly that 10 are diagnosed with the disease which at least young person is identified.
“Despite that we are using both Gene xpert and microscope, less samples are worked on due to insufficient of the detecting machines particular kids that can’t be told to cough to produce sputum. But we are managing,” assures Kaperemera.
TB lead Shadreck Mkupira however attributing high cases of TB in the district to migration, mining activities and high prevalence of HIV.
Mkupira disclosed that the district has 40 patients admitted including drug resistance on TB saying only teen case is being treated.
He there lauded 95 sputum collecting sites mounted across the district that are helping to contain the disease through early detection for preventing TB’s further spreading.
“We continue to intensify vigorously awareness campaign through van in communities for tests that has helped to diagnosed cases. Teens and adolescences are unwilling to patronize our campaign for fear of discrimination, stigma,” says Mkupira.
Towera Phiri aged 17 of Traditional Authority (T.A) Mberwa who was diagnosed with TB in November this year now on treatment, disclosed that was better than before she did not get medical care.
Towera therefore appealed to fellow teens to patronize testing campaigns when feeling TB symptoms for early treatment.
Ministry of health through TB Control Commission continues to intensifies campaign against the disease for early detection that coupled with treatment in local communities.
According to the 2020 annual, there were 14,537 presumptive TB referrals from community sputum collection points with a total of 662 cases were contributed by referrals from sputum collection points representing a contribution of 4.6 percent of all notified TB cases.
Health experts attribute TB cases to high prevalence of HIV particularly those immunity are weaker due to low uptake of Antiviral drugs (ARVs)