Kalulushi District Commissioner Joshua Mutisa says Tuberculosis (TB) notification of in the district stands at 316 in 2008, out of which 113 are sputum positive as compared to 369 cases in 2007 and 127 sputum positive cases.
Mr Mutisa said there has been a steady decline in the number of TB cases, but stated that the numbers were still quite high.
Mr Mutisa said that the disease had continued to be a major public health problem not only in Zambia, but globally and was among the leading causes of illness and deaths in the community.
He said in the year 2006 Zambia notified 52,179 patients of all forms of TB, with the majority of cases appearing in young adult population groups aged 15 to 45 years and the same age group were affected by HIV and AIDS as they were also economically productive.
In his speech read for him by Kalulushi District Administrative Officer, Jacob Musukwa last evening during the commemoration of World TB held in Chambishi, Mr Mutisa said health facilities were much more than bricks and mortar.
Mr Mutisa said that keeping of health facilities safe from disasters was one way of reducing risks and saving lives of people from TB.
He, however, said partnerships were needed among all actors to ensure appropriate investment, sharing of information and best practices and relevant support for making health facilities safe and able to function in emergency situations.
He said this years World TB Day theme, ‘I am stopping TB,’ places emphasis on the fact that everyone needed to play a part in the fight against TB.
He added that the day was important in that it helped to raise awareness about TB in the communities and also in mobilising resources and support towards the fight against the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Mr Mutisa has said that the success of TB programmes lied in mobilising all stakeholders involved in the TB programmes such as TB patients, former TB patients, treatment supporters and home based care groups.
He said other stakeholders that were to be involved in the success of the TB programme were Faith Based Organisations (FBA), families, health workers, government and private sector.
ZANIS/ENDS/EZ/EB
The problem is there is a very big correlation between TB and HIV hence twafwa pa Zed.
They will be, with AIDS!
Sharp shooter we posted at the same time and we are talking about the same thing. S t u p i d to think you can fight TB when AIDS is *******. Nshalande mayo! Ama figures yaku Zed yalanda ati it`s on the decrease.
Ati shani 3RqU? TB iliko bad pa zed.Bayern achula at least ifwe Ba Arsenal managed an away draw.
Sharp Shooter I will be watching the return game next Wednesday. I am happy Bayern are suffering. Can`t stand German teams. More like Italian ones. So negative! C`mon the Arsenal. C`mon you Gooners!
with the fake medication from India, its hard to see how things can improve
Sharp Shooter I mean I am going to the Emirates. C`mon you Gooners!
Thanx 3RqU Cheer the Gunners for me please.Arsenal 4 Life.
#5, 6, 7 How does TB in Zambia relate to European football ?
But how come there was no health official to give a speech?
I admire/praise countries like Australia who have somehow managed to keep the TB numbers low at all costs..
C’mon evryone,we can manage if we all put our hands togethers.The problem like thenjiwe put it ,the fake drugs wot take us anywhere and we shud find effectiful medication not this ngonga which take almost a year for treatment.
sharp shooter..tawanjeba okomwikala…taufwaya ka free Heineken or Leffe,….lol Gunnerss forever..!!