Dr Owen Mugurungi, Director of AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA IN MAHUSEKWA
Zimbabwe has made great progress in its fight against Tuberculosis (TB) by improving case detection, which is the right step in ending the disease by 2030, Director of AIDS and TB Unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Owen Mugurungi has said.
Dr Mugurungi revealed this on Monday during the World TB Day commemorations at Mahusekwa District Hospital in Mashonaland East Province.
The commemorations which saw several stakeholders including members of the community attending, were held under the theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.”
He said whilst the country had faced other challenges in its fight against the disease, there was need to celebrate the gains.
“However, today is not solely about reflecting on these challenges; it is also about reaffirming our commitment, strengthening our investments, and delivering on our promises to end TB for good.
“Commitment is the foundation of our fight against TB. “As a nation, we have made significant progress in combating this disease.
“In 2024, Zimbabwe notified 20,189 TB cases, an increase from 19,545 cases in 2023.
“Our National TB Program has worked tirelessly to expand access to diagnosis, treatment, and care. To mention a few, the program has been implementing the following interventions.
“Rapid molecular testing equipment recommended by the WHO is now widely available throughout the country, along with sufficient lab consumables.
“The program has enhanced the national TB surveillance system, which includes active case-finding efforts, targeted TB screening, Hybrid TB contact investigation, and the use of stool samples for detecting childhood TB,” said Dr Mugurungi.
He added: “we have intensified monitoring and evaluation, including data capturing and uploading figures into DHIS2.
“The 6th edition of the National TB guidelines has been disseminated to ensure all testing sites have access to the latest information.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe Chairperson, Ronald Rungoyi who said, “in recent years, we have seen a positive trajectory in our TB response.
“New actors are now actively and meaningfully playing different roles in the TB response.
“We are all witnessing the impact of the work that is being done by TB survivors.
“Their passion and commitment are a testimony of the power of inclusivity and the efforts by the Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe which brought the TB Survivors to the TB response table not as recipients of care but as equal partners in the response.”
Jointed Hands Welfare Organisation in their solidarity message on behalf of Civil Society Organizations, said they work tirelessly to contribute to the TB response in Zimbabwe.
And through mobilization efforts, community outreach, and partnerships with healthcare providers, they have facilitated access to vital TB services.
“We have witnessed first hand the transformative impact of awareness programs that empower individuals with knowledge about prevention, testing, and treatment.
“Each story of recovery and resilience strengthens our resolve and proves that, when we come together, we can make a difference.”
