Lusaka, 29th March 2016 - Zambia joined the rest of the international community to commemorate World TB Day under the theme “Unite to end TB.” The official launch of the commemorative activities took place in Ndola district on the copperbelt province on 23rd March 2016. The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya was the Guest of Honour. In his statement to mark the World TB Day, Dr. Chilufya said that Zamia had a high TB burden of 638 per 100,000 population as indicated in the national TB prevalence survey of 2014. He said that the Copperbelt province had a higher prevalence of 1200 per 100,000 population. The minister stated that there was need to accelerate TB control efforts at global and country levels.

In order to reduce the burden of TB in Zambia, the minister emphasized the following: The need to improve the diagnosis of TB in children; improvement of human resources capacities at facility levels; provision of diagnostic tools to all facilities; improvement of laboratory services; ensuring access of HIV services by all TB patients and involving communities in the fight against TB. Dr. Chilufya recognized the support of partners such as CDC, Churches Health Association of Zambia, The Global Fund, WHO, and others in TB control and called for continued collaboration.

The event was characterized by speeches, song and dance, distribution of IEC, testimonies by former TB patients and an award ceremony to recognize outstanding districts and individuals in the fight against TB in Zambia. In attendance was the Provincial Minister, Hon. Mwenye Musenge, representatives from government ministries and departments, UN, Civil society, community based organisations, schools and the media.

The commemoration of World TB Day was also officially launched by the Minister of Health on national television. Various partners joined in the campaign by conducting activities to raise awareness about TB and to encourage the public to seek early diagnosis and treatment at the health facilities. Teams from the District Health Office conducted screening for TB in the community in line with the need to find, treat and cure everyone.

The WHO Representative Dr. Jacob Mufunda (below) read the statement of the WHO Regional Director for the African Region, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti which highlighted the fact that every year, there is an estimated 9 million new tuberculosis cases worldwide.  Dr. Moeti stated that  despite the huge investments in health services in countries, 3 million of these cases are still not diagnosed and treated, or are diagnosed but not registered by national TB control programmes. TB remains a major problem in Africa because  sixteen (16) of the 30 TB high burden countries in the world are in Africa.

In 2015, countries in the  African region agreed to reduce TB deaths and TB occurrences by 75% and 50% respectively by 2025. In her statement, Dr. Moeti has said that for countries to attain these new targets, innovative approaches including: engaging civil society and non-governmental organisations, rolling out new diagnostic technics and adopting new tools for monitoring and evaluation among others should be used. She urged countries and partners to intensify efforts to reach, treat and cure everyone with TB and to pay special attention to underserved areas and vulnerable people.  

The WHO Representative and WHO Staff members who included the National Professional Officers for TB, Nutrition, Surveillance and health promotion and the Secretary for the EPI programme paid a courtesy call on the Provincial Permanent Secretary Reverend Howard Sikwela. The PS welcomed the WHO Team and acknowledged the strong partnership between the Ministry of Health and WHO and thanked WHO for the continued support to government. The Provincial Medical Officer for Copperbelt Province Dr. Consity Mwale also welcomed the WHO Representative and staff to Ndola at the PMO Office.

he PMO stated that WHO was a dependable partner in health and that the support provided to government for the strategic plan in fighting T and other diseases was commendable and making a difference. He said that the province was aiming at eliminating TB. The World TB Day presented an opportunity for creating awareness about TB, the importance of seeking early diagnosis and treatment and to remove stigma. The WHO country Office provided financial and technical support to Ndola district for commemorative events.

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For More Information, please contact:

Dr. Mwendaweli Maboshe, NPO, Tuberculosis,  maboshem [at] who.int GPN: 37603

Nora Mweemba, NPO, Health Promotion   mweemban [at] who.int, GPN: 37609

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Below:

01. Members of the public at the launch of World TB Day commemoration at Chifubu grounds in Ndola

02. An award ceremony was held to recognize outstanding districts and individuals in the fight against TB in Zambia. Some of the recipients showing their awards.

03. The WHO Representative, Dr. Jacob Mufunda visited Chipokota Mayamba Clinic in Chifubu to get familiar with TB activities and services offered to the community during the WTBD campaign