CATHERINE MUROMBEDZI
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
Zimbabwe has an estimated 33 000 people falling ill with tuberculosis (TB) annually. Men
aged 25 to 44, being the most
affected group.
A total of 18 935 TB cases were detected out of an estimated 33 000, with a treatment success rate of around 42% for drug-resistant patients. (Stop TB Partnership) The missed cases are a cause of concern. In mitigating to find the missing TB patients, TB survivors have been working as volunteers to identify these.
Tuberculosis (TB) survivors in Maboleni Village in Gweru recently met to launch the Maboleni Clinic TB survivors support group.
Stembile Fuzane emphasized the importance of support groups in those battling TB. She said knowing that someone survived is a positive to a patient.
“The aim of today was to open support groups starting with Maboleni Clinic. We will educate more survivors who will open support groups in their clinics. As the Maboleni support group, we are 15, seven males and eight females. As volunteers, we will monitor TB patients in the communities we live in. We are hoping that this project continues to educate people that TB can be treated and cured,” said Fuzane.
Amanda Sambadzai, a TB survivor from Chitungwiza, shares her harrowing experience with TB and the stigma that followed.
“I was first diagnosed with TB in 2003 after continuous coughing. I was put on treatment, taking 14 tablets a day. But it wasn’t just the disease that was challenging – I faced a lot of stigma at home and from my neighbours. It was painful to be isolated, having my own cup, spoon, and blankets.
“In 2008, I started to experience chest pains again. I couldn’t believe that I had contracted TB again. The thought of undergoing an injection a day, a total of 60 injections, was daunting. But I adhered to my treatment. This time, I felt a deeper passion to help others with TB.
“Sharing my experience with other TB patients gave me strength and sustained me to continue helping others. I now work as a TB volunteer at my local clinic, referring and tracking TB patients and referring them for sputum tests. I am also a member of the Zimbabwe National Network of TB Survivors. I helped to start support groups in Chitungwiza,” said Sambadzai.
Despite the challenges, Sambadzai has become a TB champion.
As Sambadzai notes, “I have been there, and I know how painful it is not to have support.”
Patricia Padzura, a TB survivor from Kambuzuma, Harare, felt there was a gap in the TB response. Patients needed support from someone who had walked the same path.
“After my struggle with TB in 2008, I felt a strong need to fill a gap as a TB survivor volunteer. I had faced stigma in my community, with no one to share my pain, nightmares, and night sweats. The fear of impending death was overwhelming, and I didn’t know of any support groups except for the brief moments of relief I found while waiting at the hospital.
“After my six-month battle with TB treatment, I started following stories about TB in newspapers and media, and I developed a passion to assist my community with health issues. I helped start support groups when I joined the Zimbabwe National Network of TB Survivors (ZNNTBS),” said Padzura.
“I firmly believe that with the help of our Ministry of Health, partners and stakeholders, we can end TB,” said Padzura.
Another fighter is Felistus Machobani from Hatfield, Harare. She provides psycho-social support and encouragement to TB patients.
Machobani is a health promoter under the City Health Promotion Department. She is also the community linkage facilitator for health education. She follows up for antiretroviral therapy (ART) and TB, ante natal clinic (ANC) defaulters.
“I work as a bridge between the health facility and the community. We give TB patients psycho-social support and encourage them to adhere to treatment. We even teach them about the importance of hygiene to minimise the spread of TB in the community. When one starts treatment, they are no longer infectious. TB is passed by someone not yet on treatment. We help trace those exposed to TB,” said Machobani.
Patricia Padzura on a TB awareness outreach in the church community[/caption]
The Church is an important community that should not be left behind .
“I encourage the Church congregation to go for HIV testing, cancer screening. For non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), I encourage them to go for screening at the clinic. I am the Chairperson for Mavambo Support Group. Survivor-led efforts have resulted in increased case identification, better management of cases, and reduced stigma and discrimination associated with TB,” said Machobani.
“I am open about my HIV positive status. I was trained as an expert patient trainer national facilitator under the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC). I am a member of the executive committee of ZNNTBS,” said the workaholic Machobani.
No one is a silo. Working with partners sees the TB response covering more ground.
With vibrant leadership, the network has tremendously grown in less than two years.
“As of December 4, ZNNTBS has helped set up 51 TB survivors support groups in 8 provinces. TB awareness is work in progress. We expect to cover all 10 provinces as we close 2024. In the coming year, with the national structures already in place, we will cover more ground in raising TB awareness. We are national, so no area will be left behind,” said Stanley Sibanda, the Vice Chairman of ZNNTBS.
The TB field is so vast that as many as possible partners are required.
Melody Mukundwi, an advocacy and communications officer with Jointed Hands, said the unique role played by TB survivors can never be done by anyone else.
“TB survivors have a unique role to play in the TB response through their lived experiences. It is something that science or work experience can not match. Their lived experiences are very important in shaping the dynamic TB response.
“As survivors, they are better informed to meet the needs and expectations of people affected by TB. That is the reason why, as the Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe, we are working with TB survivors to build their capacity and support them to better contribute to our country’s TB response. To date, we are happy with the results as TB survivors are now TB advocates, TB treatment supporters, fighting TB stigma and providing key TB services such as TB contact tracing and active TB case finding. They now have support groups which are providing a platform to support each psychologically, socially, financially, and mentally. We hope that in 2025, they will be able to reach more areas where the need is unmet,” said Mukundwi.
TB is treated free of charge in Zimbabwe.
With dwindling donor funds, we need to end TB by 2030. The clock is ticking. It’s only 61 months left.
I kicked TB in the lapels. I am more than a survivor, 60 injections in 2008. I am a TB Champion.
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