Turkana County intensifies TB fight amid alarming rise in child cases, low treatment success
Turkana County is stepping up efforts to fight tuberculosis (TB) following worrying data that shows a treatment success rate of only 51 per cent and a sharp rise in childhood TB cases, now at 27 per cent—almost double the World Health Organisation’s benchmark.
With support from development partners, the county is ramping up screening, diagnostic services, and grassroots interventions in a bid to reverse the trend and save lives.
According to the county government, a new programme funded by the Global Fund will support the delivery of quality TB treatment and prevention services across Turkana.
The initiative will target patients in Loima, Turkana Central, Turkana North, Turkana South, Turkana East, and Turkana West.
To boost early detection and improve diagnosis, the county has committed to investing in new X-ray and GeneXpert machines.
Dr Job Okemwa, the County Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Coordinator, underscored the role of partnerships in enhancing TB response, particularly in areas such as nutrition, counselling, expanded screening, follow-up care, contact tracing, and tracking of treatment defaulters.
Dr Okemwa identified severe acute malnutrition and treatment defaulters as key drivers of TB transmission among children, adolescents, and young adults.
"Combating severe acute malnutrition is key, as it contributes to most pediatric TB cases," Dr Okemwa said.
"Through proper nutrition, counselling, and contact tracing, we can curb the spread of childhood and pulmonary TB at the community level," he added.
In partnership with World Relief Kenya, Turkana County plans to establish dedicated TB treatment centres. These facilities aim to improve timely diagnosis and care while reducing the patient load at Lodwar County Referral Hospital and other health centres across the region.
The program will also support the expansion of treatment sites in Turkana Central and Kalobeyei-Kakuma Refugee Camp.
According to the county health department, the initiative will enhance TB control by strengthening surveillance, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and integrated TB/HIV services—particularly among schoolchildren, miners, and elderly community members.
With support from development partners, the county is ramping up screening, diagnostic services, and grassroots interventions in a bid to reverse the trend and save lives.
According to the county government, a new programme funded by the Global Fund will support the delivery of quality TB treatment and prevention services across Turkana.
The initiative will target patients in Loima, Turkana Central, Turkana North, Turkana South, Turkana East, and Turkana West.
To boost early detection and improve diagnosis, the county has committed to investing in new X-ray and GeneXpert machines.
Dr Job Okemwa, the County Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Coordinator, underscored the role of partnerships in enhancing TB response, particularly in areas such as nutrition, counselling, expanded screening, follow-up care, contact tracing, and tracking of treatment defaulters.
Dr Okemwa identified severe acute malnutrition and treatment defaulters as key drivers of TB transmission among children, adolescents, and young adults.
"Combating severe acute malnutrition is key, as it contributes to most pediatric TB cases," Dr Okemwa said.
"Through proper nutrition, counselling, and contact tracing, we can curb the spread of childhood and pulmonary TB at the community level," he added.
In partnership with World Relief Kenya, Turkana County plans to establish dedicated TB treatment centres. These facilities aim to improve timely diagnosis and care while reducing the patient load at Lodwar County Referral Hospital and other health centres across the region.
The program will also support the expansion of treatment sites in Turkana Central and Kalobeyei-Kakuma Refugee Camp.
According to the county health department, the initiative will enhance TB control by strengthening surveillance, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and integrated TB/HIV services—particularly among schoolchildren, miners, and elderly community members.
tuberculosis
Turkana County TB
TB treatment
TB prevention
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