Francis Gwena, TB champion
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The fight against tuberculosis (TB) is not enough if we don’t t tell and appreciate the support rendered by dedicated healthcare providers, as their strong support is a major contributor towards wellness.
This was revealed by Francis Gwena, a TB champion from Chiwanzamarara in Marondera District, who said he owes his recovery to the dedication from the healthcare providers.
Francis aged 60, detailed his journey from diagnosis, treatment and recovery as he further reiterated that TB is curable.
“I was diagnosed with TB in August 2023 and I adhered to my course till February of 2024.
“I appreciate all the help I got from the medical staff, they were really helpful for my journey to recovery, from the village health workers to the nurses, everyone involved, I want to appreciate them.
“If they were not there, I would not have survived,” Francis revealed in an interview.
He added that some nurses actually took it upon themselves to visit him at his house, just to make sure that he was adhering to his TB treatment.
“I’m so grateful to some of the nurses who actually came to my house to see how I was doing, they made follow ups with my wife such that up to this day, we remain grateful for their support.
“And because of such support, I kept on following on their strict guidelines to take my medication and I kept on doing that.
“Right now I’m fit and strong, owing to that strong support of health care providers. So when we talk of the goal to end TB by 2030, let’s never underestimate the important role healthcare providers play in this fight,” he said.
He also had a strong message to encourage testing, saying seeking health services will largely determine life and death, emphasizing that TB is curable.
“I’m a living testimony that TB is curable so I also want to emphasize that it is good for people to be tested for any ailment they may be facing because many a times, people especially men, shy away from seeking health services
“But this (seeking health services) is important if we are to save lives. If you are having some coughs, night sweats, losing weight, you need to go and get tested because that’s how I was feeling.
“I had this nagging cough and I also started sweating at night and even lost considerable weight, about 30kgs, till my wife encouraged me to go and get tested. But look at me today, I’m healthy owing to the treatment I received,” added Francis.
And indeed his message resonated well with 2025 World TB Day commemorations, where various local stakeholders from government to partners, spoke on the need for collected efforts being vital in achieving the goal to end tuberculosis (TB) by 2030.
With the commemorations being held under the theme: “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”, Francis emphasized on the commitment and dedication of healthcare providers.
