A nationwide programme which screens for active TB has been rolled out across high-risk communities in Zimbabwe, in a partnership between The Union and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Zimbabwe is one of the 30 high burden countries which collectively account for 85-89 percent of the total TB cases globally. In 2014, Zimbabwe had an estimated case detection rate of 70 percent, meaning the remaining 30 percent of existing TB cases being missed annually were potentially continuing to spread TB infection within communities.
The new programme aims to find these missing TB cases, prevent transmission and put all confirmed TB patients on treatment. It mainly targets high-risk groups such as miners, ex-miners, people living with HIV, the elderly, healthcare workers, diabetics, people living in overcrowded settings and the close contacts of people already diagnosed with active TB.
Two well-equipped mobile trucks travel around provinces and districts with a dedicated team of healthcare workers providing the free services, including symptom screening for TB, chest x-rays and consultations with a medical doctor.
All presumptive TB cases have their sputum collected and sent for laboratory confirmation and, if diagnosed, are immediately linked with their nearest health facility where they can access free TB treatment and care services.
In addition, everyone is being offered HIV testing and counselling, as well as screening for diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
The project began in August 2016 and already, of the 3382 presumptive TB cases identified, 83 patients have been diagnosed with TB, three of which were drug-resistant strains. Of the 4,764 people tested for HIV, a total of 175 were confirmed HIV positive while 98 of the 1,876 people screened for diabetes had elevated random blood sugar. All those confirmed with TB were started on treatment, while HIV positive patients and diabetics were linked to care.
The Union Country Director, Dr Christopher Zishiri, says: “This project comes at a time when too many people have been missed in communities. The findings from the outreach clearly highlight the need to intensify efforts in finding TB among the general population.”
He adds: “In addition, integrating TB screening with HIV and diabetes screening is a strategic innovation in dealing with the triple burden the country is currently facing.”
The project is co-funded by The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Challenge TB funding mechanism.