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Tag: World TB day

  •  Kenya targets 80pc reduction in TB deaths by 2030

     Kenya targets 80pc reduction in TB deaths by 2030

    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.

  • World TB Day: Aid freeze threatens to reverse gains

    World TB Day: Aid freeze threatens to reverse gains

    Kenya is marking World Tuberculosis (TB) Day with the assurance that the infectious disease, which primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air, is preventable and curable.

    As celebrations begin, the Ministry of Health is calling for increased awareness while committing to strengthening prevention efforts and ensuring access to treatment.

    Despite notable progress in recent years, Kenya remains among the 30 high-burden countries for TB, highlighting the need for continued efforts.

    In 2023, 124,000 TB cases were reported, along with 15,000 deaths, making TB the leading cause of death.

    The day is also being commemorated amid global concerns that drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding could reverse recent gains made in TB control.

    The country has also recorded a 41% reduction in TB incidence and a 60% reduction in deaths.

    Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for an urgent investment of resources to protect and maintain tuberculosis (TB) care and support services for people in need across regions and countries.

    TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, responsible for over 1 million people annually, bringing devastating impacts on families and communities.

    Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 79 million lives since 2000. However, the drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding happening now are threatening to reverse these gains.

    Rising drug resistance, especially across Europe and the ongoing conflicts across the Middle-East, Africa and Eastern Europe, are further exacerbating the situation for the most vulnerable.

    Under the theme Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver, World Tuberculosis Day 2025 campaign highlights a rallying cry for urgency, and accountability and hope. “The huge gains the world has made against TB over the past 20 years are now at risk as cuts to funding start to disrupt access to services for prevention, screening, and treatment for people with TB,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.