Tuberculosis Day in Africa

Tuberculosis Day in Africa Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world, and Kenya is among the worst affected countries. On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, the WHO stated that several African countries have already made significant progress towards reaching the 2025 target ahead of schedule. Several African countries are exceeding the WHO's 2025 target. According to the WHO, Africa has achieved the largest global decline in tuberculosis deaths since 2015, with a 42 percent reduction and a 24 percent drop in cases between 2015 and 2023. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs. It is spread through the air when a person with tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, or spits. A WHO statement on World Tuberculosis Day said South Africa reduced TB cases by 50% between 2015 and 2023, making it the first country in the region to achieve the 2025 target ahead of schedule. Mozambique, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia have also achieved the target of a 75 percent reduction in tuberculosis deaths by 2025. Other countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda are following closely behind. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Kenya is one of the 30 global TB hotspots. Approximately 140,000 new cases are reported annually, although the number of unreported cases is likely higher due to inadequate diagnostic capabilities. Particularly alarming is the high rate of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which is more difficult and expensive to treat. A major factor in the high TB ​​rate is the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Because TB is a common opportunistic infection among HIV patients, approximately 30% of all TB patients are also HIV-positive. Other risk factors include poverty, malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, and poor ventilation in slums such as Kibera or Mathare. The challenges in the fight against TB include late diagnosis. Many patients only seek medical help when the disease is already advanced. TB patients are often marginalized, which leads them to conceal their illness. Especially in rural areas, there is a lack of laboratories, medications, and trained health personnel. Treatment for MDR-TB is lengthy (up to two years), expensive, and associated with severe side effects. The Kenyan government, together with international partners such as the WHO and the Global Fund, has developed several strategies: Free TB testing and medication in public health facilities; Community health programs where volunteers educate about TB and promote early detection; Integration of TB and HIV treatments to better combat dual infections; and Use of modern diagnostics** (e.g., GeneXpert tests) for faster and more accurate results. Despite some progress, TB remains one of Kenya's biggest health challenges. Sources: WHO Kenya TB Report; Kenya National Tuberculosis Program (NTP); Global Tuberculosis Report 2023