Govt notes reduction in TB deaths

Speaking in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy Chitalu Chilufya at the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) TB programme and research dissemination in Lusaka today, Health Minister Joseph Kasonde says the Zambian government takes TB very seriously and is taking action to improve TB control by investing in new diagnostic tools to improve diagnosis and shorten the time to treatment.

Dr Kasonda says the approach will ensure a reduction in morbidity and mortality and will limit the spread of infectious TB within the community.

He points out that among the cornerstones of the TB programme include the introduction of systematic TB symptom screening for high risk populations such as individuals living with HIV or those living in high density congregate settings such as Prisoners and provision of free treatment and integrated care.

Dr Kasonde adds that there is need to aggressively scale up the effectiveness of the country’s TB control and interventions and invest in relevant research to develop new effective and efficient diagnostic tools.

And Speaking earlier CIDRZ deputy Chief Executive Officer Dr Izukanji Sikazwe has commended government’s continued commitment towards TB control and other diseases.