Kenya's Use of Evidence-Based and Data-Driven Interventions Leads to Remarkable Progress in TB Control
NairobiΒ Β July27, 2023Β Kenya's adoption of evidence-based and data-driven interventions in policy decisions and Tuberculosis (TB) program implementation has yielded promising results, surpassing key impact indicators for TB over the past few years.Β
According to recent reports, between 2015 and 2020, Kenya achieved a substantial 32% reduction in new TB infections, far exceeding the global target of 20%. Additionally, the country recorded a remarkable 44% reduction in TB-related deaths, surpassing the global target of 35% within the same period.
During the inauguration of the 4th Africa TB Summit 2023 in Nairobi, Mary Muthoni, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, announced that Kenya is now the first country to adopt and implement improved child-friendly TB medicines and injection-free regimens for the treatment of drug-resistant TB cases.
Moreover, Kenya has taken proactive measures to enhance TB diagnosis by widely adopting and scaling up the use of World Health Organization (WHO) approved molecular tests for TB diagnosis across all counties, a crucial step in ensuring accurate and efficient detection of the disease.
Ms. Muthoni emphasized the Ministry's unwavering commitment to eradicating TB as outlined in the National Strategic Plan, highlighting the importance of continued efforts at the local, regional, and international levels. Recognizing TB as a social disease, she called for concerted collaboration among stakeholders to address this public health challenge effectively.
The Africa TB Summit 2023 unites TB control efforts across different regions of the Global TB Caucus in Africa. It is a vital platform for stakeholders to explore strategic collaborations, aiming to ensure a comprehensive and impactful response to TB in the region.