Kenya has joined the global community in the commitment to end Tuberculosis by 2030.
The world leaders on Tuesday launched the Coalition of Leaders to End Tuberculosis.
Kenya was represented by Health CS Susan Nakhumicha on behalf of President William Ruto.
The event which was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York coincided with the UNGA High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis.
The launch of the Coalition of Leaders to End TB is seen as a crucial step toward mobilizing global action and investments needed to accelerate TB control efforts and meet the targets outlined in the Global Plan to End TB by 2030.
Kenya expressed its support for the coalition, emphasising the importance of equitable access to TB prevention and care, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2030 and achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Nakhumicha acknowledged the disproportionate effect of TB on marginalised and vulnerable populations.
She noted that the marginalised and vulnerable are often deprived of access to quality healthcare services, which further exacerbates existing inequalities.
“Kenya has made substantial efforts to intensify active case finding, a proactive approach to identifying individuals who may have fallen through the gaps of the healthcare system,” she said.
“These endeavours have paid off, positioning Kenya as one of the few high-burden countries to meet the 2020 WHO End TB strategy milestones, including significant reductions in TB incidence and fatalities,” she added.
TB remains a pressing global health challenge, with Kenya ranking among the 30 countries responsible for 80 per cent of the world's TB burden.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya stands as one of the top five nations grappling with the profound impact of this infectious disease.