The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Dr. Paul Musila, has urged Makueni residents to seek regular screening for Tuberculosis (TB) at the health facilities in the county.
Consequently, Dr. Musila said that early diagnosis will help the medics to treat the disease once detected. While saying TB is treatable, he said the disease is very contagious, hence the need to contain it from spreading further.
He disclosed that last year the county recorded 2,200 cases of TB; however, he expressed his concern that about 40 per cent of the people fail to go for screening in health facilities in the county.
“Out of the 2,200 cases of TB detected in Makueni, only 60 per cent visited medical treatment at our health facilities. However, 40 per cent fail to turn up at the facilities; this trend is worrying and needs to be averted,” said Dr. Musila while addressing the media at Matiliku Market, Nzaui sub-county, during the commemoration of this year’s World Tuberculosis Day, under the theme “YES! We Can End TB.”
“The county government has ensured that testing and medication for TB is free in all health facilities. We urge all residents with symptoms such as persistent coughing, night sweats, weight loss, and chest pains to come forward for screening,” said Dr. Musila.
He urged the department of health, leaders, the clergy and other stakeholders to intensify awareness creation across the county, saying combating TB was a collective approach.
At the same time, the CECM said that the government is committed to reducing infections and mortality by scaling up screening efforts, expanding community outreach programmes, and ensuring steady supply of drugs to the TB patients in all health facilities.
“The disease is prevalent among individuals aged between 20-50 years old, who are a critical segment that drives the workforce of the country. This calls for a collective approach from all stakeholders in a bid to combat the disease,” he posed.
Speaking at the same function, Nzaui Sub County Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Solomon Mpapale took issue with the increasing suicidal cases, saying men were the most affected.
In this regard, Mpapale called upon the health department to send psychiatrists to sensitise the community in an effort to arrest the worrying trend of suicidal cases in the area.
“At least we have been recording a death case related to mental health. The most affected are men, though we also have incidents where women and children commit suicide,” said Mpapale
The DCC urged the local residents to ensure they have pit latrines in their homes to minimise cases of open defecations, which pose a health hazard in the area.
By Patrick Nyakundi and Albanus Kioko
