By Wellington Sibale

Neno, April 4, Mana: Partners in Health (PIH) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) have launched a community outreach initiative to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB) in Neno District.

The campaign kicked off Wednesday at Ziphaka, a well-known local drinking joint, marking a significant step in extending TB education to marginalized communities.

The initiative follows World TB Day, observed on March 24 under the theme: "YES! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver" and aims to bridge the information gap particularly in areas where access to vital TB knowledge has been limited.

HIV/TB Program Officer for PIH, Charles Phiri, emphasized the importance of expanding awareness efforts beyond Neno Boma.

“For a long time, we have been sharing TB information around Neno Boma, but people in places like Ziphaka have not had the same privilege,” Phiri said.

He explained that the outreach specifically targets hard-to-reach populations where TB cases have been reported.

“Our goal is to engage with individuals we rarely meet in formal settings. We have recorded TB cases from Ziphaka, and by reaching out directly, we hope to encourage early diagnosis and treatment before the disease worsens,” he said.

He said beyond raising awareness, the initiative also seeks to support TB patients and survivors.

“We will also assist people who are battling or have recovered from TB by providing essential supplies because they require additional support,” Phiri noted.

Neno District TB Officer, Maggie Chatuwa, highlighted the impact of new diagnostic tools, particularly the recent acquisition of an X-ray machine, in improving TB detection and treatment.

“As a district, one of our biggest challenges has been reaching people in their communities for screening. We have mostly relied on passive screening at health facilities. However, with the X-ray machine, we hope to strengthen our efforts,” Chatuwa explained.

She said PIH has been instrumental in supporting TB control efforts in Neno by providing human resources, including microscopists working in health facilities, procuring medical supplies, and assisting TB patients with social support.

Chairperson for Ziphaka Drinking Joint, Lackson Malango, commended the initiative, acknowledging the risk of TB transmission due to overcrowding in their area.

“We live in congested spaces which increases the risk of TB spreading. Hygiene is crucial and we must take these messages seriously,” he said.

Chairperson for Neno Chikonde Market, Esther Kambeyani, praised the awareness drive and called for sustained efforts.

“We appreciate PIH and MoH for organizing this event. I hope it is not the last time we have such an important gathering. We will share this information with those who could not attend to help curb the spread of TB,” Kambeyani said.

The event was held under the theme; "Solidarity and Unity," reinforcing the need for collective action against policies that perpetuate inequality and exclusion.

The gathering called on communities to advocate for fair and just healthcare systems that serve everyone equitably.