TB survivors network welcome advances in science
Catherine Murombedzi
Harare:TB survivors welcomed the digital portable TB X Ray machine that was unveiled in Harare at the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and SexuallyTransmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA).
The portable machine brings the hospital to the people. TB detection took long in the hard to reach communities.
This is going to be a thing of the past as health workers, even trained community health workers, will be able to use the gadget.
Speaking at the Launch of TB People Zimbabwe, Tariro Kutadza said TB detection in children has been cumbersome with some missing diagnosis at times.
“During COVID-19 from 2020, TB detection had a setback with targets missed. This ultra-portable CXR machine that we are seeing today was used in Nigeria during COVID-19.
It provided more efficient TB screening in hard-to-reach areas. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been adopted by scientists across a wide range of disease areas, with scientists drawn to the advantages offered by the precise technology over disease detection.
“The equipment is portable, can be moved between communities, bringing TB screening services to the doorsteps, and improving access,” said Kutadza.
Kutadza said artisanal miners reported at health facilities when they were severely ill.
“Makorokoza, small-scale artisanal miners don’t have time to come to the clinics. They self treat. TB screening is done in hospitals where big X Rays are found. This gadget will change the river’s course. No area, no one should be left behind.
“Scaling up the new technology to communities will play a key role in ending TB,” said Kutadza.
Shobba Shuklar, the editor at CNS Health of India, who moderated the session, spoke on missed cases. She stressed that the people were not missing. Rather, the services were missing.
“People with TB are not missing. They are there. The services are missing. So, the digital TB machine came at the right time to help with effective screening, diagnosis leading to treatment, care, and support. In India, the TB burden is still high,” said Shuklar.
“It is important that survivors raise awareness that TB can be treated and cured. Stigma is derailing progress in TB treatment. The global TB people should help ease the TB burden in affected communites,” Shuklar added.
Dr Donald Tobaiwa from Jointed Hands, who housed the Stop TB Partnership at ICASA, said communities of TB survivors were pivotal to ending TB.
“We can not talk of ending TB if we have no network of survivors spreading the message of hope. Survivors know what it is to have TB. They are listened to when they talk of prevention. TB Prevention Therapy (TPT) uptake was low with skeptical views. We are seeing a positive change as uptake scales up, thanks to Networks of TB survivors that are raising awareness,” said Dr Tobaiwa.
Rebecca Chule from Dzivarasekwa TB Survivors Network welcomed the shorter TB regimens, which are now available.
“I had multiple drug resistant TB (MDRTB) a decade ago. For six months, I went to the clinic to get an injection. This was painful. As a community worker in Dzivarasekwa, patients no longer get injections. They are now getting fewer tablets, and there are child-friendly syrups for TB treatment for babies. Those years, we crushed adult tablets. This made treatment of TB in children very difficult,” said Chule.
ICASA ran from 4 to 9 December and ended with a deeper understanding of
Differentiated Service Delivery;
Key populations and stigma;
New WHO guidelines on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections;
Pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and long-acting products;
TB prevention;
Outbreaks and emergencies, preparedness;
HIV and non-communicable diseases integration;
Elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT),
Vaccines (Malaria); and
Hepatitis.
It was a huge success as hundreds of sessions brought the global village in one place.
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