TB death statistics

I READ with interest statistics disclosed by our Health Minister, Dr Chitalu Chilufya that 72 percent of Tuberculosis (TB) deaths in Zambia were in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Accordingly, 62, 000 people in Zambia fall ill with TB, out of which over 25, 000 TB cases were not detected, treated and continue to transmit the infection to others in the community.

This is despite progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB remained a huge obstacle.

As a nation, we need significant progress in the fight against HIV/ AIDS which should involve all stakeholders.

It is also good to note that Parliamentarians would be involved in vigorous sensitisation campaigns on the disease.

These Parliamentarians should scale up the fight against TB, by sensitising their communities.

Parliamentarians are role models and a source of correct information not only in our constituencies but across the country.

Government SHOULD ensure that everyone living in Zambia has easy access to health services including TB prevention, care and treatment services.

MPs should engage the corporate entities in their constituencies on TB programmes in line with last year’s launch of the Zambia National Parliamentary TB Caucus, which is a unique national network of parliamentarians to spur the fight against TB.

We need concerted efforts towards this fight.

Government SHOULD ensure that everyone living in Zambia has easy access to health services including TB prevention, care and treatment services.