TB and HIV/AIDS handbook launched

Government says community involvement has played a significant role in Zambia’s attainment of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number six of halting and reversing the incidence, prevalence and death rates associated with Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV AIDS.

Community Development, Mother and Child Health Permanent Secretary Elwyn Chomba said the MDG achievement has come as a result of the many actors involved in TB and HIV AIDS control at all levels of health delivery.

Professor Chomba praised TB and HIV/AIDS Community Volunteers for their effective contribution towards the implementation of the Direct Observed Treatment (DOT) among TB patients in their respective communities.

ZANIS reports that Professor Chomba said this in Lusaka today in a speech read on her behalf by Acting Permanent Secretary Dr. Simmy Chapula during the Launch of the TB and HIV/AIDS Treatment Supporters Handbook.

Professor Chomba said the TB and HIV/AIDS handbook will be piloted in Chelstone, Chilenje and Bauleni residential areas by Community Based TB/HIV Care Providers and commended the Japan Anti Tuberculosis Association (JATA) for developing the Handbook.

And Professor Chomba said despite the country recording a decline in TB cases, there is need to ensure that the missed TB cases are captured in order to fully eliminate the disease.

She said it is in this vein that government is working closely with major key stakeholders among them the community members in scaling up TB services and ensure access and coverage for all is attained.

Meanwhile, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Resident Representative Yoshihide Teranishi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to help Zambia in replicating the successful interventions of TB and HIV/AIDS treatment through a community centred approach.