BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework-TB Action Plan, holds a lot of promise for the country as it strives towards ending tuberculosis by 2030, a director in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, has said.
Berven Andrew Murungweni, Director Human Resources, revealed this recently during a Zimbabwe MAF-TB Action Plan Development Workshop held in Kadoma.
According to the TB Europe Coalition, multisectoral accountability framework is a tool used to accelerate progress to end TB.
It is further added that MAF-TB is “based on the concept that addressing healthcare problems requires coordinated multisectoral response of the sectors and partners involved, as disparity in healthcare is directly associated with socio-economic factors and other social health determinants.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that “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.”
Murungweni said; “your contributions have reinforced the importance of multi-sectoral approach recognising that TB requires collective action beyond confines of health sector.
“Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB Action Plan that we have been working on holds great promise and it will save as a road map for our future endeavors, guiding our actions and ensuring that we remain accountable to our commitments.
“By aligning our efforts, strengthening partnerships, leveraging the resources and expertise of each sector, we can create truly comprehensive and sustainable response to TB.
“As we leave this meeting, let us carry the renewed sense of purpose and commitment; let us continue to collaborate, advocate and work together to ensure the effective implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB action.
“Our actions moving forward will determine the success of our efforts in reducing burden of TB and improving the lives of those affected by this disease.”
He added that there was need for everyone to put to action all commitments being made to end TB; urging all people to remain engaged on this worthy cause.
“Together we can make a lasting impact and create a future where TB is no longer a threat to our community. Together we can stop TB, together we can end TB,” added Murungweni.
He reiterated that the success of the action plan could only be made possible with collaborations, saying the strength lies in bringing together diverse sectors and stakeholders.
“This rich exchange of ideas, experiences and the best practice have provided us with valuable insights and perspectives that will undoubtedly shape the development of TB actions,” added Murungweni.
Doctor Fungai Kavenga, Deputy Director TB and Prevention Control, in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, who spoke on behalf of Dr Owen Mugurungi, Director of AIDS and TB Unit, said the development workshop was coming after a successful Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB Baseline Assessment Findings Validation meeting.
“For the validation meeting, we learnt quite a number of findings and issues that we were not aware of and I think there are key recommendations that came out of that baseline assessment. “There was a recommendation to improve coordination and collaboration among sectors for us to end TB in Zimbabwe.
“I think there was also a call to mobilise adequate resources, to implement the Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework Action Plan. The baseline assessment also recommended that we increase awareness and understanding of TB amongst various leaders, political leaders, church leaders, traditional leaders and so forth and of course there was a call to prioritise TB control in the various sectors and ministries.
“So armed with these findings and recommendations, we are then expected to come up with a MAF-Action Plan that we are going to own and implement, monitor and evaluate. So I hope this meeting will then deliver that MAF Action Plan that will then as a country, as different players and sectors will then run with this action plan,” added Dr Kavenga.
The estimated TB burden in the country is 29 000 and it is also reported that great strides have been made to reduce (the burden) as Zimbabwe no longer ranks among the 30 high ranking TB burden countries in the world.
