Tuberculosis advocates from all over Kenya converged in Nairobi in February to argue for the employment of TB counsellors to help reduce stigma, boost awareness, efface myths and beliefs and answer patient queries.
Tuberculosis advocates from all over Kenya converged in Nairobi in February to argue for the employment of TB counsellors to help reduce stigma, boost awareness, efface myths and beliefs and answer patient queries.
Myths and legends abide about the origin of Tuberculosis (TB). But whether it spread from man to animal or vice versa, or from common ancestor, we can’t efface the fact that it is still a threat to humanity.
Cases have suggested government negligence to put in place isolation rooms for TB patients in health facilities, resulting in room congestion and increased risk of TB spreading.
Counsellors would also monitor medication through the prescribed period which could reduce the number of ‘defaulters’ who stop taking their medicine.
Luceta Gatimba, a former teacher from Meru County, was diagnosed with TB in July 2004 and had to give up her job because of the level of dust in her classroom.
Though she is out of danger from TB and her body is recovering, Luceta struggled to fight relapses which occurred due to poor time management through the medication period. Luceta believes taking medicine correctly is a big challenge as there are no supporters to guide patients.
Luceta became resistant to isioniazid and rifampicin, the two most widely available anti-TB drugs, because of a failure to take medication at the right times. She believes the timing of the treatment was not explained effectively to her.
Luceta said: “As we mark World TB Day, I urge the government to consider deeply the plight of TB patients by purchasing more testing machines and distributing them to health facilities countrywide.
“Counsellors too should be recruited to ease the stigma, and should distribute drugs to every facility. More attention and seriousness should also be put to TB patients as it is in HIV/AIDS because they intermarry.”
The event, organized by Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium (KANCO), brought different health experts and advocates to amend the loopholes being experience in the health facilities, by patients from ground to national level and finding solutions for a better living community free of TB.
The event, organized by Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium (KANCO), brought health experts and advocates together to find solutions to the issues raised by TB patients.
Emily Mukomenene, publisher of a TB facts book, said: “The fight against TB and the desire for a TB free world should be a partnership among all and be treated like a three legged stool or the African fire place, which is constituted of three stones. In the absence of one, the others are useless.
“This collaboration should apply to the medics, patients, communities and health care partners in the elimination of TB especially in developing or less developed countries.”
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