Kenya Marks World TB Day with Renewed Commitment to Combat the Disease

Muranga, Kenya - 25th March 2024 - The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakhumicha S. Wafula, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to invest in TB control efforts, ensuring accessibility and affordability of TB services for all Kenyans. 

 Speaking during the World TB Day celebrations in Muranga today, Nakhumicha reiterated Kenya's commitment to eradicating TB, acknowledging the persistent public health challenge it poses despite notable progress in recent years. 

 Kenya, she noted, remains among the 30 high-burden countries for TB, emphasizing the need for continued efforts. The CS expressed immense gratitude to partners, healthcare workers, and the community for their support in the fight against TB. 

The CS who was joined by the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, and Muranga Governor Hon Irungu Kangata, commended Kenya's innovative approach to TB diagnosis and treatment with the adoption and scaling up of cutting-edge technologies such as GeneXpert and Truenat.

 Additionally, efforts to find missed TB cases have been intensified through community-based interventions and the deployment of digital chest x-rays with Artificial intelligence.

Nakhumicha highlighted the Ministry of Health's focus on providing high-quality TB services includes adopting shorter, more efficient treatment regimens and strengthening healthcare infrastructure and emphasized the importance of a multisectoral approach, integrating TB services into broader development agendas to maximize impact. 

 Acknowledging the support of partners like the Global Fund and PEPFAR, Nakhumicha called for collective resolve in working towards a TB-free Kenya and assured the public of ongoing efforts to address healthcare sector challenges. 

In attendance were Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, and Muranga Governor Hon Irungu Kangata, among others.