NAIROBI, March 25 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya has significantly reduced TB infections in the country from 168,000 cases in 2017 to 124,000 annually in 2024.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Health top leadership as Kenya joined the globe in marking world TB day.
National Assembly’s Health Committee Chair Dr. James Nyikal, called for realignment of funds to ensure TB programmers do not lag behind amid fund cuts by the US Government.
In its strategic plan the Ministry of Health aims to reduce TB deaths in the country by 80pc by 2030 and ensure no household suffers economic hardships due to TB.
Speaking at the national event, National Assembly’s Health Committee Chair Dr. James Nyikal, urged stakeholders in the health sector to ensure they present their budgets on time.
Aiban Ronoh, Monitoring and Evaluating officer Kenya National TB programme called for bold policies at the county level to ensure more resource allocation in counties.
Separately, Homa Bay County is celebrating a decline in drug resistance cases of TB along with an increase in cases of treatment.
According to County Executive Committee Member for Health, Grace Mercy Osewe, the County notified and treated 3,358 TB patients in the past year, including 363 children, representing 10.8pc of the total cases.
Drug resistance cases have also being on a decline since 2024, with nine drug-resistant TB patients currently undergoing treatment.
During the event to mark world TB day Kenyans got a chance to be screened for the disease free of charge. — NNN-KBC
