Lack of TB handbooks barrier in fighting disease, says Hangalawe Primary School headteacher
A visit to Hangalawe Primary School in Karonga district has revealed that the lack of TB handbooks is a barrier to fighting against the disease, writes Wezzie Mwangonde.
Karonga, Malawi-A visit to Hangalawe Primary School in Karonga district has revealed that the lack of TB handbooks is a barrier to fighting against the disease, writes Wezzie Mwangonde.
The headteacher, Andrew Ngonya, says the school relies on the information that teachers have after attending TB workshops, which mainly focus on causes, transmission, prevention, and treatment.
He has further requested that the Ministry of Education consider tuberculosis as a topic in one of the subjects so that students have detailed information about the disease.
"The only challenge is the lack of TB handbooks, we teach our students using the information attained from TB workshops and sometimes with guidance from the Health Surveillance Assistant who resides close to the school," said Ngonya.
In an interview, the Ministry of Education's public relations officer, Mphatso Nkuonera, said they have heard the request, and that when there is a need to change the syllabus, all relevant stakeholders and the general public are involved.
Nkuonera has also highlighted that the ministry is very considerate because students from primary to tertiary levels learn about TB and other diseases.
"We have heard the request, and it will be looked into accordingly," said Nkuonera.