Tag: Dr Ronald Ncube

Curtain comes down on Kunda/Nqobi TB program

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Kunda/Nqobi TB (KNTB) program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) comes to a close at a time beneficiaries are still drooling for more having screened over 1 million Zimbabweans since 2019. The USAID injected US$15 million for this project implemented by The Union Zimbabwe Trust (UZT) in partnership with Baines Occupational Health Services, Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Zimbabwe and Jointed Hands Welfare Organisation (JHWO). Addressing the close out ceremony in Harare, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora in…

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El Nino Induced Drought Presents Bleak Future For TB Patients In Zimbabwe As Many Could Discontinue Treatment

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The heat wave is blazing hot in Shurugwi, a small town in the Midlands province, and Brighton Mangwiro (30), is preparing to go to the gold mine shaft where he temporarily works. Due to the El Nino weather patterns, the heavens have not been so generous in the just-ended 2023-2024 cropping season, and many farmers in Shurugwi are already counting their losses. This has pushed more young men, and women in the area into artisanal gold mining in a bid to fend for themselves and loved ones.…

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Incapacitated DR-TB Patients Bear The Brunt of Catastrophic Costs

Michael Gwarisa

Nqobizitha Nkomo and his wife from Insiza District in Matebeleland South, were both diagnosed of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) about a year ago. Even though they say they are feeling better,  Nkomo recounts how their situation almost reduced them to beggars of some sort in their quest to sustain their treatment and recovery journey. By Michael Gwarisa Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) is a form of tuberculosis which has developed resistance to the main medicines used to treat TB. This form of TB can be resistant to one or more anti-TB medicines.…

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Economic Challenges Derail National TB Response

Patricia Mashiri

THE country’s continued woes are taking the National Tuberculosis (TB) response off rails as many people are failing to access TB screening and testing services, resulting in them presenting late at health facilities. By Patricia Mashiri The country has been recently removed from the TB high burden risk country but it however remains one of the country with high TB drug resistance. Speaking during a TB media café, Mrs Edna Masiyiwa, Director Women Action Group (WAG) said lack of funding was one of the problems why people get late diagnosis…

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