Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Community must help improve TB programmes
28 March, 2007
TLOKWENG - Members of the community, especially recovered tuberculosis patients, should make suggestion for improving the tuberculosis programme.
The Acting Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health, Dr Boikhutso Moreri, the community had role to play in the fight against tuberculosis.
Dr Moreri said at a Tuberculosis Commemoration Day in Tlokweng former tuberculosis patients could give testimony on the effectiveness of its drugs when one complies with treatment.
One of the major challenges we have in Botswana in the control of TB is the patients poor compliance to TB treatment and hence the occurrence of multi-drug resistant TB, she said.
Dr Moreri said the occasion should be viewed as an opportunity to re-focus and re-direct the concerted efforts to fight TB, share information on its control and pledge support to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
It is only through the full participation of every member of society that we can ensure success against TB and other health problems and most importantly accomplish the goals of 2016, she said.
Dr Moreri said in 2005, Botswana recorded more than 10 000 cases of tuberculosis -- and more than 1 000 deaths. Most people who died were aged between 15 and 49, that is, the most productive and economically active members of society.
She said the theme of the day: TB anywhere is TB everywhere was chosen because it emphasised the need for concerted efforts, urgent attention and shared responsibilities at all levels.
It also made people aware that although tuberculosis was preventable and curable, it remained a global emergency.
Tuberculosis was declared an emergency in 2005 at the World Health Organisation Africa Regional Committee in Maputo. Member states were urged to implement with immediate effect control strategies and plans to reverse the challenges and impact of the disease.
She said in response to the call, Botswana strengthened its already existing tuberculosis control strategies such as Direct Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS), Community TB care, Ionized Preventive Therapy (IPT), laboratory testing methods and intensive training for staff.
She said all the programmes indicated the commitment of the government in the prevention and control of tuberculosis.
She said during the 1980s, the disease was successfully controlled in Botswana as evidenced by the decline in the notification rate of about 12 per cent per annum from 1975 to 1989. She said during that period, Botswana recorded the lowest tuberculosis notification rate of 200 cases per 100 000 people.
She said with the advent of HIV, there was a rapid escalation of TB cases as it has been shown that there is a close association between TB and AIDS. She added that about 80 per cent of TB patients were also HIV positive.
Dr Moreri said TB was often the first manifestation of HIV and the second leading cause of death after AIDS.
One disheartening fact is that due to the close association between TB and AIDS, there is growing stigmatisation of people with TB.
If such attitude is to continue, we would be at a loss in the fight against TB. We should therefore always be reminded that HIV/AIDS and TB are just like other conditions or diseases and that TB is curable despite ones HIV status, she said.
Dr Harry Thuku, the principal health specialist with the South East District Council, said through intensive, immediate and generous investment from government, multilateral agencies, businesses and individuals, Botswana have the power to stop TB. He said the global plan to stop TB, if fully funded, could fight the disease.
Dr Thuku said the plan outlines how the TB mortality and prevalence rate could be cut in half by 2015 and eliminated by 2050.
In order to meet the funding gap and save millions of lives, endemic countries must act on the commitment to control TB, including investments in health care infrastructure, he said. We must protect the population by ensuring we provide them with the best solutions possible.
Dr Thuku said people who are vulnerable to TB are best placed to talk about the challenges they face on a daily basis and how to improve TB programmes from their perspective.
BOPA
http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20070328&i=Community_must_help_improve_TB_programmes
28 March, 2007
TLOKWENG - Members of the community, especially recovered tuberculosis patients, should make suggestion for improving the tuberculosis programme.
The Acting Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health, Dr Boikhutso Moreri, the community had role to play in the fight against tuberculosis.
Dr Moreri said at a Tuberculosis Commemoration Day in Tlokweng former tuberculosis patients could give testimony on the effectiveness of its drugs when one complies with treatment.
One of the major challenges we have in Botswana in the control of TB is the patients poor compliance to TB treatment and hence the occurrence of multi-drug resistant TB, she said.
Dr Moreri said the occasion should be viewed as an opportunity to re-focus and re-direct the concerted efforts to fight TB, share information on its control and pledge support to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
It is only through the full participation of every member of society that we can ensure success against TB and other health problems and most importantly accomplish the goals of 2016, she said.
Dr Moreri said in 2005, Botswana recorded more than 10 000 cases of tuberculosis -- and more than 1 000 deaths. Most people who died were aged between 15 and 49, that is, the most productive and economically active members of society.
She said the theme of the day: TB anywhere is TB everywhere was chosen because it emphasised the need for concerted efforts, urgent attention and shared responsibilities at all levels.
It also made people aware that although tuberculosis was preventable and curable, it remained a global emergency.
Tuberculosis was declared an emergency in 2005 at the World Health Organisation Africa Regional Committee in Maputo. Member states were urged to implement with immediate effect control strategies and plans to reverse the challenges and impact of the disease.
She said in response to the call, Botswana strengthened its already existing tuberculosis control strategies such as Direct Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS), Community TB care, Ionized Preventive Therapy (IPT), laboratory testing methods and intensive training for staff.
She said all the programmes indicated the commitment of the government in the prevention and control of tuberculosis.
She said during the 1980s, the disease was successfully controlled in Botswana as evidenced by the decline in the notification rate of about 12 per cent per annum from 1975 to 1989. She said during that period, Botswana recorded the lowest tuberculosis notification rate of 200 cases per 100 000 people.
She said with the advent of HIV, there was a rapid escalation of TB cases as it has been shown that there is a close association between TB and AIDS. She added that about 80 per cent of TB patients were also HIV positive.
Dr Moreri said TB was often the first manifestation of HIV and the second leading cause of death after AIDS.
One disheartening fact is that due to the close association between TB and AIDS, there is growing stigmatisation of people with TB.
If such attitude is to continue, we would be at a loss in the fight against TB. We should therefore always be reminded that HIV/AIDS and TB are just like other conditions or diseases and that TB is curable despite ones HIV status, she said.
Dr Harry Thuku, the principal health specialist with the South East District Council, said through intensive, immediate and generous investment from government, multilateral agencies, businesses and individuals, Botswana have the power to stop TB. He said the global plan to stop TB, if fully funded, could fight the disease.
Dr Thuku said the plan outlines how the TB mortality and prevalence rate could be cut in half by 2015 and eliminated by 2050.
In order to meet the funding gap and save millions of lives, endemic countries must act on the commitment to control TB, including investments in health care infrastructure, he said. We must protect the population by ensuring we provide them with the best solutions possible.
Dr Thuku said people who are vulnerable to TB are best placed to talk about the challenges they face on a daily basis and how to improve TB programmes from their perspective.
BOPA
http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20070328&i=Community_must_help_improve_TB_programmes