AMPATH Partners Participate in National Event for World TB Day

AMPATH partners from MTRH, Moi University (MU), USAID AMPATH Uzima and others joined the national Ministry of Health and Uasin Gishu County Government in commemorating World TB Day at Huruma Grounds, Eldoret. The theme for this year's event was "Yes! We can end TB in Kenya."

The event was presided over by Prime Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, EGH; Uasin Gishu Governor, H.E Jonathan Chelilim Bii; and Cabinet Secretary for Health Susan Nakhumincha. The event had representation from the national government, county governments, members of parliament, development partners, TB Champions, and TB implementing partners. In attendance were Principal Secretary of Health Dr. Josephine Mburu; Hon. Stephen Mule, Chair of the Africa Parliamentary Caucus; Deputy Mission Director for USAID Bert Ubamadu; and other dignitaries.

In Kenya, recent estimates show that around 133,000 people have developed TB, including 16,000 children. This is a huge burden on the health system and a major barrier to economic development. The World TB Day event sought to inform communities that TB is treatable and garner stakeholder support to play their part in ending the epidemic. 

A procession led by Salvation Army Band and Run for the Lung marked the beginning of the day’s celebration. Speaking on behalf of the President, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening the role of community health workers in the fight to end TB. He also added that there was the need to mainstream Kiswahili in treatment stating that the “fastest way to cure people is to communicate.”

The event encouraged attendees to reflect on the progress made towards achieving WHO’s target of ending TB by 2030. 

“To end TB, we need to work with parliament so as to secure budgetary allocation to fight the epidemic” added Hon. Stephen Mule, Chair of the Africa Parliamentary TB Caucus. 

MTRH CEO Dr. Wilson K. Aruasa, MBS, EBS said the hospital has invested in state-of-the-art equipment and staff capacity development for treating tuberculosis (TB) and other infectious diseases. “MTRH is the only National Centre of Excellence for Managing Multi-Drug Resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Extremely Drug Resistant TB (XDR-TB),” said Dr. Aruasa.

He noted that the government strategy used to ensure patients access care for TB free of charge should be used in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all Kenyans regardless of their ailments. MTRH, MU, IU through their Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program have researched and popularized the best model of realizing UHC (through their works in Busia, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Bungoma Counties) whereby each of the following four entities must contribute for sustainability: family, county government, national government (through Ministry of Health and its agencies like NHIF, MTRH) and development partner where feasible.

Dr. Aruasa called on the Government of Kenya to implement Universal Health Coverage so as to realize a bottom-up success in the Healthcare space.

The CEO also emphasized the power of partnerships in making UHC and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) attainable by 2030 for all to enjoy and benefit from good health and development.

Health screenings continued during the celebration including an exhibition where AMPATH and MTRH had an opportunity to showcase core services. A medical camp provided free TB, diabetes, hypertension and HIV screening and COVID-19 vaccination.  This ran in tandem with community information and advocacy efforts including printed materials, a mobile PA system, and participation in radio and TV talk shows.