OVER 1,1 million community members from eight districts were screened for tuberculosis (TB) and an estimated 13 800 cases were detected.
The programme fell under the US$15 million United States Agency for International Development (USAid) project co-ordinated by Union Zimbabwe Trust (UZT) supported by the Kunda-Nqob’iTB (KN-TB).
The five-year programme ended yesterday.
Health and Child Care deputy minister Sleiman Kwidini, speaking on behalf of minister Douglas Mombeshora, said there was need for continued concerted effort towards ending the TB epidemic.
“TB is one of the major public health problems in Zimbabwe,” Kwidini said.
“Efforts continue to be made towards using tested programmes and newer methods and approaches to TB control efforts.
“This includes, among others, new diagnostics, new treatment regimen, digital technology and artificial intelligence for the TB response.”
The KN-TB programme was implemented in Gweru, Kwekwe, Shurugwi, Chirumhanzu, Zvishavane, Gwanda, Insiza and Mwenezi.
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The programme was a co-operative agreement between USAid and the UZT.
KN-TB chief of party, Ronald Ncube acknowledged the USAid investment, noting the indelible footprint of the programme over the last five years.
“We look back with a sense of accomplishment as we retrace an eventful journey over the last five years, a testament to the strength of partnership, innovation and unwavering commitment in the fight to end TB in Zimbabwe,” he said.
According to the Health ministry, the KN-TB project contributed significantly in reducing TB incidence in the country, from as high as 242 per 100 000 population to 204 per 100 000 by 2022.
It also contributed to reducing the burden of HIV among TB patients from 62% in 2015 to 50% in 2023.
