By Lisa Lamya

Blantyre, September 11, Mana: Deputy Programme Manager for Malawi National TB and Leprosy Elimination Programme Dr. Kuzani Mbendera has said Malawi is making considerable progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy.

Speaking on Tuesday in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Mbendera said that Malawi’s treatment success rate for TB stands at 90 percent on average, attributed to new interventions in the fight against the disease that are proving to be effective.

He cited the phasing out of toxic drugs for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and the rolling out of new drugs as some of the milestones that have helped Malawi fight TB.

"Initially, the treatment for MDR-TB was from 18 to 24 months, but we have managed to introduce new drugs, which patients take for a period of six months, and for drug-sensitive TB, the treatment period has been shortened from 6 months to 4 months if a child is suffering from a form of TB that we feel is not severe," he said.

Mbendera also mentioned the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of software packages that help healthcare workers read X-rays and make predictions about the likelihood of TB.

“Currently we have two AI software programmes running in the country; one is called CURE AI and the other is CAD for TB," Mbendera stated.

Health expert George Jobe described it as the successes that have come out of the interventions.

“It is pleasing to note that the treatment period has been shortened, unlike in the past when it could take two years or one and a half years to finish.

“We would want to commend the Ministry of Health through the TB Control Programme for this success, donors, and all Malawians going for screening and those on treatment; this is a shared success," Jobe added.

Jobe further stated that the current success rate gives hope that the country can end TB, and there’s a need to continue with the interventions and intensify awareness campaigns.