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Plea to support anti-TB strategy
2007-03-25 10:06:49
By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar
Zanzibar Chief Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha has called on the general public to support the government strategy to control TB, by accepting TB screening to take place in the islands.
Nahodha made the call yesterday at the Kilimani Zanzibar main Prison after he launched a nationwide special campaign to contain TB where different groups starting with inmates and prison warders will be screened for the disease.
He said: ``It is sad that TB cases have been increasing in many countries, but worse in developing countries including Zanzibar. According to the study on TB, one TB patient can spread the disease to up to 15 people, so we must join hands to control the disease.``
Nahodha said that his government was committed in making sure that TB is controlled or wiped out. ``TB is number two killer after HIV, and its symptoms are similar to that of HIV/Aids. Let us develop the culture of having medical check ups at least once a year.``
Speaking at the function, the Zanzibar Health and Social Welfare Minister Sultani Mohamed Mugheiry said that health officials would screen all prisoners, remandees and prison warders in the islands.
``We want to control the spread of tuberculosis in the Isles, or wipe it out. We must observe health precautions and for those who will be found with TB virus, they must make sure the have full treatment,`` Mugheiry said.
He said TB was a major problem in Zanzibar especially in urban areas, ``we need to control and eradicate TB in Zanzibar by 2015.``
The minister said that according to 2005 study on TB, Zanzibar has been recording an average of 350 new TB cases since 1999.
The TB screening exercise launched by Chief Minister Nahodha was part of the celebrations to mark this year`s World Tuberculosis Day. According to the 2007 WHO Global TB Report, TB is still a problem in many developing countries and Europe.
The function was also attended by other health official including World Health Organization (WHO) liaison officer- Zanzibar Noor Mohamed, and Senior prison warders from the islands.
Both Nahodha, and the Health Minster acknowledged the Global Fund, for supporting the screening.
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