Malawi to Mark World TB, Leprosy Day
The national commemoration will be held at Khaya Primary School in Mulanje on March 24 from 8 a.m.
LILONGWE, Malawi - Malawi will join the rest of the world in commemorating World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24, with this year's event also marking World Leprosy Day, the Ministry of Health has announced, writes Winston Mwale.
"TB remains a global public health threat, killing more people globally than any other infectious disease," said Dr. Samson Mndolo, Secretary for Health in a statement.
"Each day, nearly 4,500 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease."
According to a 2014 survey, Malawi has a TB prevalence of 334 per 100,000 population, with more men affected than women and a higher burden in urban areas.
Mndolo appealed to leaders to engage communities in the fight, raise awareness about symptoms like cough, fever and weight loss, and reduce barriers to accessing health services.
"Through early identification and treatment of TB patients, we can prevent further spread of TB and accelerate progress towards achievement of the national and global aspirations of ending TB," he stated.
The theme is "Yes We Can End TB! You can make history; End TB," calling on all stakeholders to commit to ending the disease.
"The Government of Malawi is committed to meeting the expectations of its people by implementing the WHO End TB Strategy," Mndolo said, highlighting investments in health workforce, diagnostics and treatment.
The national commemoration will be held at Khaya Primary School in Mulanje on March 24 from 8 a.m.