MDR-TB detected in Mash West

were detected using the Gene Xpert machines that have been distributed at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, Kadoma and Karoi general hospitals in the province recently.
Mashonaland West provincial medical director Dr Wenceslaus Nyamayaro confirmed the development saying health authorities had stepped up an educational campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of skipping the first line treatment of tuberculosis which leads to resistance.

“We have recorded cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in two districts of our province following tests that were conducted using the Gene Xpert machines that we have recently received in the province,” he said.

MDR-TB is a strain that is resistant to the common or first line TB treatment usually as a result of people failing to adhere to treatment requirements which often last up to six months. So far six cases have been recorded in Kadoma while three others were recorded in Karoi. Of the six cases in Kadoma, two cases involved relatives living at the same house that were infected by an infected relative.

Dr Nyamayaro said more cases were likely to emerge if the tests using the machine become widespread.
“There are chances of picking up more patients along the way as use of the Gene Xpert machine spreads. The cases have been referred to Harare for further treatment and care,” he said.

Only central hospitals provide treatment for multi-drug resistant TB with indications that moves to decentralise the distribution of the drugs were at an advanced stage.
The centralised distribution of the drugs has brought another challenge as people are forced to travel to Harare or Bulawayo for treatment raising transport costs and posing logistical challenges for people outside the two major cities.

Treatment involves daily injections for up to four months which means that those who do not have relatives in the city would have to travel daily from their houses outside Harare or Bulawayo.

Dr Nyamayaro said there was a need to emphasise on primary treatment and educate people on the dangers of skipping treatment.
Government is working on decentralising treatment to provincial hospitals before eventual rollout to the districts.