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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
The inaugural Zimbabwe National TB Conference has highlighted the urgent need for innovation in tackling tuberculosis (TB), emphasising research and collaboration as vital components in controlling the disease.
Organised by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in partnership with Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe, this three-day event has gathered stakeholders from several sectors to confront one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges.
The conference serves as a platform for key TB partners to share experiences, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships, ultimately leading to a more coordinated national TB response.
This initiative aims to unite and empower stakeholders in the fight against TB, fostering knowledge sharing and celebrating achievements to build a robust strategy against the disease.
During the conference’s opening, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini emphasised the need for prioritising investments in research.
“Innovation will be crucial in our fight against TB. We must invest in research for new diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. Collaboration with academic institutions and private sector partners can lead to breakthroughs that will significantly impact our ability to control this disease.”
Despite advancements in Zimbabwe’s TB response, the nation remains among those with a high burden of co-infection of TB and HIV and multi-drug-resistant TB.
Deputy Minister Kwidini acknowledged the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted essential TB services and exacerbated existing inequalities. He urged stakeholders to focus on actionable solutions.
“We need to advocate for policies that prioritise TB prevention and treatment while ensuring equitable access for all communities,” he said.
The importance of community-led interventions was a recurring theme. Community organisations have been pivotal in implementing innovative solutions tailored to local needs, such as outreach programmes for TB prevention and support networks for affected individuals.
Underscoring the necessity of uniting various sectors in this fight was the conference theme: “Advancing multisectoral accountability and community engagement to end TB in Zimbabwe.”
Mr Tsuro Bore, speaking on behalf of civil society organisations, highlighted the potential for enhanced partnerships in the TB response.
Zimbabwe had detected 18 935 TB cases out of an estimated 33 000, with a treatment success rate of around 42 percent for drug-resistant patients.
“The Covid-19 situation reversed some gains made prior to the pandemic, so post-Covid-19 recovery is another area we need to focus on regarding TB,” said Mr Tsuro.
He praised mobile testing services that had expanded access to previously under-served areas and called for increased domestic resource mobilisation for TB, HIV, and malaria to sustain the national response.
Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Aspect Maunganidze said hosting the conference signified a collective commitment to addressing tuberculosis in Zimbabwe.
He encouraged active participation among attendees.
“Let us seize this opportunity to learn from each other and build a united front against TB. Your commitment to public health is invaluable as we work towards a healthier future for all Zimbabweans.”
Online Reporter