school learners lift placards with TB messaging at the World TB Day commemorations at Mahusekwa District Hospital
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The phrase “catch them young” means to influence, teach, or guide people while they are still young, because habits, values or skills are easier to shape in childhood than in adulthood.
And within that context, the recently held World TB Day commemorations in Mashonaland East Province, showcased how children can be ambassadors of change in the fight against the epidemic.
Through their (children) participation, it was evident that as young as they are, they can drive the message home, leading to positive health outcomes.
Clearly structured messages can go a long way in eradicating stigma which is threatening to derail progress that has been made in the fight against tuberculosis (TB).
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most often affects the lungs.
Reports indicate that in 2023, an estimated 10,8 million people fell ill with TB worldwide, including 6.0 million men, 3,6 million women and 1,3 million children.
The report from WHO further reveals that TB spreads through the air when people with it (TB) cough, sneeze or spit.
And it is further added that TB is preventable and curable and it is this message that was promulgated by children who took part in the commemorations at Mahusekwa District Hospital.
The commemorations ran under the theme “Yes We Can End TB, Commit, Invest, Deliver”.
The children carried placards, sang songs and recited poems, adding their voices to the global goal to end TB by 2030.
Ronald Rungoyi, Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe Chairperson, applauded the inclusion of children in TB messaging, saying this was one of the important steps to eliminate stigma.
“Having children as young as these here, pushing messages of fighting TB is one way of fighting stigma.
“If we catch them young and they get the messages clear, and they carry such messages to their communities, to their schools where they learn, this is something that will be stamped in their hearts for a long time,” said Rungoyi.
One of the teachers of the children who took part in the commemorations said they had begun to include such positive messages in their studies.
“We believe if we have children as young as these, learning about such important stuff and even showcasing it like they did today, we are doing quite a great job.
“We had to look at the theme of the commemorations, and decided to have messages which resonate well and one of those was to do with the fact that TB can be treated,” said the female teacher who pleaded for anonymity citing protocol.
Inclusion of children is also being done in South Africa, whereby Wena Moelich who is dedicated to fighting TB in the country, has a campaign which focuses on primary school learners.
In an article by Kiara Govender, Moelich is quoted as saying, “we go to schools with our Kick TB soccer balls and every child gets one of these soccer balls with TB messaging on everyone.
“We are making little ambassadors, TB ambassadors for children, so they go home with their soccer balls and go and inform their parents, siblings and their community.
“They are going to spread the TB message for us.”
