On Monday, the Ministry of Health Director General, Dr Patrick Amoth launched revised key policy documents that will act as a guide in the management of TB and Asthma in the country.
The four key documents included the public-private mix action Plan, Interim COVID-19/TB Management Guide, Integrated TB Leprosy and Lung disease Guideline, and the Revised Asthma Management Guidelines.
The Ministry of Health noted a spike in the number of TB cases in 2020, with the country recording 72,943 cases where 5,663 were children. The Ministry of Health Acting Director-General Dr. Patrick Amoth said that TB is a major public health concern, with Kenya being ranked among the high burden of TB and TB/HIV. He, therefore, urged Kenyans to engage in the fight against the infectious disease.
Speaking at the launch held at a Nairobi Hotel, Dr. Amoth pointed out the need for collaboration between public and private sectors in initiating procedures that allow for efficient and prime TB diagnosis and treatment. Amoth pointed out the government’s bold plan to make Kenya a TB-free country.
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“We need to intensify TB case-finding at the grassroots, increase Lab diagnosis and treatment of TB, particularly in children and special conditions, and improve the management of drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB,” he added.
According to the World Health Organization report for 2020, TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide and the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent.
The disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on the critical determinants of TB could increase the number of TB cases diagnosed in the next 5 years compared to the projected numbers.
The launch took place ahead of the World TB day scheduled for March 24, 2022.