Kajiado residents have been urged to visit public health facilities within the county for free Tuberculosis screening and treatment services so as to control the spread of the highly infectious disease in the county.
The County Coordinator for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Ezekiel Karino, said the high number of TB infections annually from untreated persons is a health challenge that has made it difficult to control its spread in the county.
“Tuberculosis is the leading killer disease in Kenya for diseases transmitted from person to person. In Kajiado County, 6000 people are currently infected with tuberculosis. Each year we diagnose and begin treatment for 1500 new cases. The stigma associated with tuberculosis prevents some infected persons from seeking treatment,” said Karino.
Karino has said tuberculosis is a national health challenge with Kenya ranked among the countries with a high number of tuberculosis transmissions.
The head of health department in Kajiado North Sub-County Dr Marion Mukira, has also urged Kajiado residents who show signs of tuberculosis infections to visit public health facilities within the county for free screening and treatment services.
“There are many youths in Kajiado North Sub-County who get infected. We have 108 people in Kajiado North Sub-County who have been diagnosed with tuberculosis since January 2022.Tuberculosis is treatable with six months of medication,” said Mukira.
The Kajiado County Government has put in place measures to control the spread of the highly transmissible tuberculosis disease, through training of health workers and setting up of five tuberculosis treatment and diagnostic centres.
Meanwhile, an estimated 5 million out of 10 million people infected with tuberculosis globally each year do not receive early treatment and diagnosis for the disease and transmit it to other people, while Kenya is ranked among the countries with high a high number of tuberculosis transmissions globally.
By Amy Moyi and Gworo Alice
