CASES of new Tuberculosis (TB) infections have declined by 8% at the back of improved access to TB screening treatment and care at community level.
By Michael Gwarisa
The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is defined as the number of new TB cases in one year per 100,000 population whereas prevalence of tuberculosis is defined as the number of TB cases in a population at a given point in time (sometimes referred to as “point prevalence”) per 100,000 population
Speaking at the Mid Term Review of the Zimbabwe National TB program, World Health Organisation (WHO) Medical Officer AIDS, TB and Hepatitis (HTH) program, Dr Wilfred Nkhoma said Zimbabwe was among the few countries which have succeeded in reducing TB incidence over the past decade.
From about 2000, this country has had very high rates of TB. But it is good to obverse and share with you two important observations. While the rates started on-notifications at about 400 per 100 000 population but we estimate the number should have been higher at above 600, there has been a steady decline in incidence, both by what we estimate and also by what has been reported by the program.
“This is a good sign of good performing program, it means our program is missing a very few cases. The Zimbabwe program therefore should be congratulated for doing this. For what happened in the last 10 years for different countries across the globe, Zimbabwe is among the six countries that has been reducing TB incidence by at least 8% per year. This is not just in the region, it is also a global success,” said Dr Nkhoma.
Other countries that have been able to reduce incidence by 8% include Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
“This is an indication that if Zimbabwe can continue to decline the incidence by at least 8% or so, it is possible for Zimbabwe by 2030 to reduce incidence according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of reducing incidence by 80% but we need to sustain that annual decline of at least 8%.
“Zimbabwe is already there, it is possible to continue to do that. This decline is also seen for all types of TB not just one type or cumulative. It is also clear that the same is happening in all the provinces of the country.”
He however added that managing Drug Resistance TB was still a challenge in Zimbabwe and as a result, mortality was still high. Prevalence of drug resistant TB in Zimbabwe is high in Matebeland South.
The World Health Oraginisation (WHO) has adopted The End TB strategy whose vision to see everyone with TB get access to the innovative tools and services they need for rapid diagnosis, treatment and care.