TB REMAINS ONE OF THE TOP TEN CAUSES OF MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY IN ZAMBIA

By Daily News Reporter

The Ministry of Health has revealed that Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top ten causes of mortality and morbidity in Zambia, particularly affecting people living with HIV, despite being a preventable disease. TB still remains among the top ten causes of mortality in Zambia The TB mortality rate among people living with HIV and those not infected with HIV in Zambia stands at 74/100,000 and 30/100,000, respectively.

During a Media Café Meeting in Lusaka, Ministry of Health Spokesperson Dr. Kalangwa Kalangwa, stated that a significant uptake of TB preventive medicines among people living with HIV, has exceeded to 90%. However, he noted that low uptake of less than 50% among HIV-negative individuals who are also at risk.

Dr.Kalangwa highlighted that hesitancy is prevalent among this group because they do not exhibit TB symptoms and thus believe they cannot benefit from the preventive treatment. He emphasized the importance of encouraging individuals with certain risk factors to visit health facilities for TB screening. If they do not show symptoms suggestive of TB, they should be offered TB preventive fit kits.

To combat TB in Zambia effectively its necessity of promoting TB screening and preventive measures among all at-risk groups. The Ministry offers various treatment duration options tailored to patient preferences and clinical assessments, ranging from one month to six months.

 Additionally, Dr. Kalangwa assured that Zambia has maintained a consistent supply of all necessary commodities for TB screening, diagnosis, and treatment for the past eight years, underscoring the country's commitment to tackling this public health issue.    It was in November 2021, Beatrice kangwa (name withheld) who hails from Chongwe District diagnosed with TB at the youthful age of 26. The first symptom she noticed was the persistent cough. She felt it needed immediate medical attention and consulted her local doctor. The diagnosis by the local doctor was that she was allergic to sweets and fried food. She took the advice and followed the prescribed medicines and got rid of her cough which returned soon and this time in the company of a low-grade fever.

The doctor prescribed more tests and x-ray. After looking at her x-ray, the astonished doctor immediately referred her to a specialist at levy Mwanawasa university teaching hospital in Lusaka. By now she feared the worst and the doctor immediately assured her that it wasn’t cancer but TB.

To confirm it the specialist doctor recommended more tests and they all validated it. Her immediate concern was whether she could be infecting her family members with such a contagious disease.

“More than the disease, it is the stigma that is harder to fight. I remember I went into a shell, scared that people might keep away thinking it’s contagious. I wondered who will marry me. Will this affect my siblings and their chance of getting married?” She recalls.

To her slight relief the doctor said her that her TB being extra-pulmonary was non-infectious. Reassured, she started her treatment under the specialist doctor's observation. A week passed by and the side effects from the medicines took a toll on her body. She started vomiting and had a constant uneasiness in her stomach. She contacted her doctor and altered her dosage. The new TB medication was less problematic and in a short span her body also adapted to the TB medication. She started to lead her 'somewhat regular life'. The doctor assured her that in nine months she would be TB free and she was eagerly looking forward to it.

Unexpected Road blocks as it was nearing the course of nine months, she noticed a bulge on the right side of her chest wall. She immediately brought it to the notice of the doctor whore commended a surgery. By then it was near to ten months of treatment and with the bulge she continued the medication for another two more months. During this period in every three months she regularly underwent x-ray and blood tests.

The doctor made sure that she was responding to the second line treatment well." I felt better and became hopeful again. And in 2011, I was declared TB free," she says.

In most cases, TB-affected individuals are often left on their own to deal with their struggles. If TB and its long treatment with numerous side effects were not bad enough mental health challenges combined with stigma make things worse.

TB, the Best Teacher!“ One thing I learned is that it is very important to talk about the stigma of TB. Silence was not an option for me. Remember stigma impacts you deeply. If you have TB talk to someone whom you trust. Don't suffer in silence. Let us fight TB together. TB had disrupted my life on multiple levels. I dreamt of a perfectly married life at26 and babies by 29 and watch them grow for the rest of my life. All of them went awry. Dealing with TB taught me a few lessons. I realized that I was craving an easy life with no difficulties. Surviving TB turned out to be the best teacher for me as I learnt that pain is the only way to grow. TB is curable. Let us collectively fight against it. The right diagnosis, proper treatment and the much-needed awareness about it are necessary to defeat TB. We must fight against TB, not those affected by it,” she added.