Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
AN innovative Tuberculosis (TB) and Silicosis screening initiative targeting artisanal miners in the Midlands has started bearing fruit with about 1000 having been screened and 10 individuals diagnosed with TB alone, six with Silicosis and four with both Silicosis and TB (Silico-TB).
The Union Zimbabwe Trust (UZT) with funding from the Stop TB Partnership (Global) launched the TB screening outreach project, to promote early detection and treatment in high-risk artisanal mining communities of Mberengwa and Zvishavane.
The project uses a mobile model approach that provides portable sensitive TB screening methods using an ultra-portable digital x-ray enabled with CAD-AI (Computer Aided Diagnosis) that allows real-time interpretation of clients’ x-ray images for abnormalities suggestive of TB and Silicosis.
UZT Executive Director, Dr Ronald Ncube said that traditionally, TB screening has relied heavily on passive case finding where individuals with symptoms voluntarily present themselves at health facilities for diagnosis and treatment.
This approach, he said, has often missed high-risk populations who face barriers to accessing care, such as the artisanal miners in remote communities or individuals struggling with co-morbid conditions like alcohol use disorders or malnutrition.
“What sets this model apart is its integration of TB screening with services for silicosis, malnutrition and alcohol use disorders, offering comprehensive care closer to where people live and work. By shifting from a passive, facility-based and disease-specific model to a proactive, integrated and community-focused approach, the project is designed to catch more cases earlier and improve linkage to timely and appropriate care,” he said.
To date, UZT said they have had two screening cycles have been done representing four out of 33 campaigns in both Mberengwa and Zvishavane employing both daylight and moonlight screening models.
“Out of 999 clients screened by symptoms, 925 received X-rays, and 271 specimens were collected and processed.
These comprehensive screenings led to 10 individuals diagnosed with TB alone, 6 with Silicosis, and 4 with both Silicosis and TB (Silico-TB), highlighting the critical need for integrated diagnostic approaches,” they said.
Screening outreaches will be conducted at artisanal small-scale miners (ASM)’s workplaces during daytime and at social drinking points during evenings (moonlight screening), complemented by enhanced routine community screening by trained community health workers. Additionally, screening will be done at primary healthcare facilities where access to X-ray services is currently limited.
“We are here to launch a game changer project in the diagnosis of TB and Silicosis particularly in settings like these mining communities targeting artisanal miners and ex-miners,” said Dr Mary Muchekeza, Midlands Provincial Medical Director, speaking at the inaugural screening outreach at Vanguard Business Centre in Mberengwa District.
UZT acknowledged that the miners are usually very busy such that they have brought the services to the people.
“This reduces the amount of time people previously had to endure, thus, ensuring people get treatment and care much faster,” they added.
A collective 270 community and health care workers were oriented and trained across five clusters and twenty-five health facilities respectively, equipping them to support community screenings, outreaches and provision of essential health services.
“We are happy to be one of the districts selected to implement the project. It is an opportunity to improve on TB case finding in our communities. This programme, due to the nature of its approach, will empower communities in the fight against TB, bringing us closer to a TB-free Zimbabwe,” said Nkulumo Ncube, Zvishavane District TB and Leprosy Coordinator.
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