HEALTH authorities are missing at least 10 000 tuberculosis (TB) cases annually, about a third of reported cases, as the diseases’ prevalence continue to rise in the country.
Addressing people attending this year’s World TB Day commemorations in Mahusekwa, Mashonaland East province, on Monday this week, director of Aids and TB Programme in the Health and Child Care ministry Owen Mugurungi said Zimbabwe recorded 20 189 TB cases last year, an increase from 19 545 cases in 2023.
However, Mugurungi said Zimbabwe’s national TB programmes had worked tirelessly to expand access to diagnosis, treatment and care.
“Tuberculosis remains one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases, claiming millions of lives each year. Zimbabwe has made significant strides in the fight against TB, and we now struggle with TB/HIV and MDR TB.
“It is estimated that approximately one third of TB cases in Zimbabwe are missed, translating to around 8 000-10 000 undiagnosed or unreported cases.
“However, today is not solely about reflecting on these challenges; it is about reaffirming our commitment, strengthening our investments and delivering on our promises to end TB for good.”
Mugurungi said commitment went beyond policies and programmes and required inclusive effort.
“From healthcare workers to community leaders and from policy-makers to individual citizens, we must all commit to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring that TB services reach the most vulnerable populations.
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“Investment is the engine of progress. Ending TB requires sustained financial and human resources. We must invest in research, innovation and the development of new tools, including vaccines, diagnostics and treatments,” he said.
Mugurungi, however, said Zimbabwe had made significant strides in the fight against TB with the case detection rate improving while the country has achieved high treatment success rates.
“We cannot be complacent. The emergence of drug-resistant TB and the impact of HIV co-infection remind us that the battle is far from over,” he said.
Mashonaland East National Aids Council provincial manager Wilfred Dube said they had invested a lot of resources to fight HIV and TB in the province.
“We have, also, to combat HIV and Aids, deliver or implement activities that are meant to address gaps around these two diseases, HIV and TB.
“In order to strengthen implementation of interventions under the Global Fund programme, council has financially and technically supported the development of the TB stigma reduction plan, as well as the TB legal toolkit,” he said.
The National Aids Council has been working closely with programmes such as the Global Fund towards the achievement of the NDS1 target on health and well-being and the Sustainable Development Goals target towards ending the epidemics of Aids and tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases.
World TB Day is commemorated annually on March 24 and this year's theme was, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”.
