Nakuru County on Monday March 25, 2024 joined the World in marking Tuberculosis Day.
This even as stakeholders called for early screening to avert more complications at late stages.
It should be noted that Nakuru County’s Department of Health Services, in collaboration with the National TB and Leprosy Program at the Ministry of Health, has already embarked on a six-month Rapid Results Initiative aimed at reducing the spread of TB infections in the County.
According to County Secretary Dr. Samuel Mwaura, the initiative will incorporate several measures such as creating awareness in the community, mobilization for screening and testing, provision of treatment and patient follow-up, as well as developing and executing a contact management initiative.
He was speaking when he graced this year’s commemoration of World TB Day in Kiamana Ward, Bahati Sub-County.
The County TB coordination team, led by Dr. Neimah Barasa, has been conducting TB testing with the use of a Chest X-ray machine in selected Sub-Counties.
“Late diagnosis is the leading cause of TB-related deaths in both adults and children,” she stated.
She called for need for regular TB testing to reverse these numbers.
Sentiments echoed by County Executive for Health Services, Roselyn Mungai.
Among the TB symptoms to look for are a cough of any duration, fever, chest pains, drenching night sweats, unintended rapid weight loss for adults, and cough for 2 weeks, persistent fever for 2 weeks lethargy or fatigue, reduced playfulness, poor weight gain or weight loss, and night sweats in children.
County Executive for Youth, Sports, Gender, Social Services, and Inclusivity Josephine Atieno who is also a TB champion having cared for someone with TB, joined the commemoration alongside the Chief Officer for Public Health, Joyce Ncece, County Director for Public Health, Elizabeth Kiptoo, County Director for Medical Services, Dr. Daniel Wainaina and the County Health Management Team.
Also present were Representatives from Development partners supporting the Health Department in the TB program from USAID Tujenge Jamii, World Vision and Nephak.
Author: Pristone Mambili
A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.