Malawi Reports Surge in Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Cases
The revelation came to light during a recent tour organized by the Ministry of Mining under the Occupational Safety and Health program.
Lilongwe, Malawi— Malawi is grappling with a troubling upswing in multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRT) cases, according to Dr. Yusuf Mtende, a Principal Medical Officer at Kamuzu Central Hospital, writes Chifundo Kudzula Gondwe.
The revelation came to light during a recent tour organized by the Ministry of Mining under the Occupational Safety and Health program.
Dr. Mtende attributes the rise in MDRT cases to the intensified diagnostic efforts targeting the disease. He stated, "What we are doing now is that we are using mobile vans in reaching out to workers in mines. So this means those in such designated places are now tested from their base."
The Occupational Safety and Health Environment project, part of the National TB and Leprosy Elimination Program, has deployed mobile vans to facilitate on-site testing for workers in mines.
Dr. Mtende emphasized the success of this approach, noting, "This approach eliminates the need for individuals in these designated areas to travel long distances for testing."
The mobile testing initiative has been instrumental in identifying numerous MDRT cases promptly. Additionally, health facilities throughout the country have incorporated urinary ram tests as part of their diagnostic arsenal.
It is worth noting that Malawi has stringent laws prohibiting the involvement of children in mining activities.
Zutu Liabunya, the Chief Inspector of Explosives at the Ministry of Mining, stated, "The mining ministry is currently working with the Ministry of Labour to compensate minors who face different challenges in their line of duty in the mines."
Liabunya further disclosed that the ministry is in the process of drafting a small-scale artisanal policy to deter children from participating in mining activities.
He noted that this policy initiative is in response to persistent reports of children under the age of 18 engaging in mining activities, particularly in small-scale mines.
Malawi's mining sector is not only a significant contributor to the country's economic growth but also a source of diversification and increased employment opportunities.
The Occupational Safety and Health Project, operating under the National TB and Leprosy Elimination Program, seeks to ensure the health and well-being of workers, including those in the mining industry, are effectively safeguarded.