BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
There is need for collective efforts from all sectors in the country if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of ending Tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, Dr Owen Mugurungi, Director of AIDS and TB Unit, in the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said.
Dr Mugurungi said TB is not just a medical issue as it transcends to other sectors, so there is need to ensure all hands are on deck if the country is to succeed.
He was speaking at a Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB Baseline Assessment Findings Validation breakfast meeting this Tuesday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says “TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. “TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB-germs into the air.”
Dr Mugurungi said, “TB is not just a medical challenge; it intersects with social, economic, and environmental factors.
“Thus, the Multi-Sectoral approach is crucial because by involving multiple sectors, we gain a holistic perspective and can address the root causes and difference determinants of the disease.
“It is also important to note that, TB control cannot rest solely on the shoulders of our ministry. Education, housing, nutrition, mining, employment and other sectors-all play a role.
“Our collective responsibility ensures a more effective TB response. When different sectors collaborate, innovation flourishes. We can leverage technology, data, and community engagement to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal of ending TB by 2030.”
He reiterated that for us to achieve a TB-free Zimbabwe, collective efforts are needed as they lead to healthier lives for all.
Dr Mugurungi also revealed that the Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB Baseline Assessment Findings are a critical step in the commitment to combat TB in our nation.
He added that the disease remains a global health challenge, which affects millions of lives each year.
“As we sit here, people in our communities are battling with this disease-some silently, others with courage and resilience. Like in any battle, some lose the battle and each year, we record deaths due to this preventable and curable disease.
“Our duty as leaders is to ensure that no one dies because of TB, and no one is left behind in our fight against TB. “The Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB represents a collaborative effort, a bridge connecting various sectors of the economy towards one of ending TB. “It brings together government departments, Parliament, healthcare professionals, policymakers, civil society organisations, private sector, the media, traditional leaders, researchers and affected communities among others to use their co-competencies in response to the TB epidemic,” he added.
He also reported that the event was coming at a critical moment following renewal of the United Nations High Level Meeting on TB commitments and targets where the country’s delegation was led by His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Dr Mugurungi said as we work towards the achievement of the commitments and targets, a multi-sectoral approach was the way to go as it guarantees us success.
“Allow me to highlight some critical steps we have undertaken as a country in adopting the components of the Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB.
“We launched the Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB (MAF-TB) on the 17th of January 2023, and conducted a Baseline Assessment with the assistance of two consultants.
“As we are here today to validate the findings of the baseline assessment, we acknowledge that accountability is not a buzzword; it is our commitment to jointly play our role in accelerating progress to end TB and remain answerable for our actions to the communities we represent.
“Through this multi-sectoral approach, we will establish mechanisms to track progress, hold ourselves accountable, and transparently report to our fellow countrymen,” he said.
He also revealed that the hard work which was put to achieve the process so far had to be appreciated as his ministry had received support from the Stop TB Partnership, WHO Zimbabwe country office, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe, and Jointed Hands Welfare Organisation (JHWO) during this important initiative.
Dr Mugurungi also paid tribute to various ministries, organizations and corporates which supported during the consultation processes of the Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB Baseline Assessment.
“We continue to bank on our continued support for the success of the Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB in Zimbabwe.
“Today, as we validate this baseline assessment report, I urge each of you to embrace our different roles as march ahead.
“In closing, let us remember that TB knows no boundaries-it affects the young and old, the rich and poor. But together, we can change the trajectory. Let this Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework be our compass, guiding us towards a TB-free Zimbabwe.”
Similar sentiments were also echoed by Ronald Rugoyi, Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe Chairperson, who said getting all people from various sectors in the fight against TB guarantees the “winning team”.
“When it comes to Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB in our country, we have to walk the same path.
“Do we all agree that this is our winning team, so the idea of multi-sectoral is bringing everyone together,” he said.
He added that for a long time, they were walking alone with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, so having various representations ensures success.
“I’m happy today we have Ministry of Agriculture, which plays a very key role in TB programming, Social Services is here; Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, in terms of publicity we need to talk about TB continuously; Higher and Tertiary Education they have institutions that we are also targeting in terms of TB awareness, screening and in terms of innovations, Higher and Tertiary Institutions have that growing now and that can drive innovations. And in terms of the Ministry of Women Affairs, women are very important key stakeholder in this, ndivo vanopepa varwere vese. Mukadzi akarwara murume anotiza but murume akarwara mukadzi anogara.
“And they (women) stay to look after the family so they play a key role. We have the Defence Forces, they are a key stakeholder as well so ladies and gentleman this is our winning team,” said Rugoyi.
He also stressed that gone are the days when organisations would work alone for such initiatives as he said “you bring what you have, we work together for the sole purposes of ending TB in our country.
“Gone are the days when the CSOs (Civil Society Organisations), stakeholders, partners were playing a watchdog role over what the government was doing.
“We should bring everything what we have to the table work together. The success on HIV TB programming should be attributed to each and every one of us.
“It’s no longer business as usual in most institutions, we now need to bring our key competences to the table, ladies and gentleman without leaving the media.
“Ministry of Information ndimi munofudza the media we also request from your corner that slots should be availed continuously to talk about TB.”
He also said that this was the opportunity to bring each and everything that we have, as the multi-sectoral approach starts from where we live.
Rugoyi said from anywhere where one is, the message of multi-sectoral approach had to be emphasized.
