By Chisomo Phiri
First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera has emphasised the importance of early detection of Tuberculosis(TB) among citizens in order to achieve the Global Fund’s goal of eradicating disease’s incidents by 2030.
She made the remarks on Monday, during the High Level Breakfast event held under the theme “Amplifying Voices to end TB stigma” at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
Madame Chakwera highlighted the need for organisations and stakeholders in the TB sector to expand their services to remote areas, as a significant portion of Malawians lack proper education and awareness about the disease.
She further called on individuals and stakeholders in the country to address the stigmatisation of TB patients and survivors to effectively combat the disease.
The First Lady commended the Global Fund for its dedication and support in assisting Malawi in the fight against TB and other infectious diseases.
She then appealed for increased support from the Global Fund, development partners, and donors to continue providing Malawi with diagnostic equipment and mobile vans to reach those who do not have access to nearby health facilities.
In her remarks , the Executive Director of Stop TB Partnership, Switzerland, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Commended Malawi’s efforts in combating TB, which has demonstrated success within the Southern African Development Community region.
Dr. Ditiu also stated that Stop TB Partnership will continue supporting Malawi by collaborating with the civil society organisations through grants and essential medical tools for diagnosis and treatment.
She further applauded the First Lady for her unwavering dedication in the fight against TB and her efforts to address the disease’s stigma in the country.
Technical Advisor for Paradiso TB Patients Trust, Mara Kum’bweza Banda, stressed the organisation’s commitment to collaborating with the First Lady’s office to ensure thorough sensitisation of the population on TB-related issues and stigma.
TB is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs.
The disease is caused by a type of bacteria.
It spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit.
About a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB bacteria.
TB is preventable and curable.
