The Ministry of Health has launched a plan to combat tuberculosis in Kenya.
The plan, dubbed National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Health was unveiled on Monday by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni.
The five-year (2024-28) strategic plan aims to ensure quality care for TB, leprosy and lung diseases for all Kenyans.
Speaking during the launch, PS Muthoni raised concern about what she termed as the scourge that is TB.
The PS said that the ministry is committed to further reducing the cases of TB reported in a year.
"In 2022, Kenya reported a total of 90,560 drug-sensitive TB cases, an increase compared to the 77,854 cases reported in 2021," she said.
The PS went further to caution medical professionals against cases of misdiagnosis which have lead to deaths in some cases where patients suffered from tuberculosis.
Muriuki said that the ministry is working with the CDC, WHO and USAID to achieve a TB-free Kenya.
She said the plan will be an inclusive guide that will be used in the fight to end TB in Kenya.
The PS also called for other ministries to partner with MoH to address TB.
She assured Kenyans that the ministry is working to empower those affected by the disease, especially in rural areas.
The launch also says calls to curb misinformation around Tuberculosis.
Data from the Ministry of Health in November 2023, shows case finding and treatment have improved after a sharp drop in 2020.
Last year, 90,841 people with TB were identified, out of the estimated 112,000.
In 2020 the identified cases had dropped to 72,943 which means more people with TB remained untreated, potentially infecting others.
The figures were released by the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Disease Programme (NTLLDP).
The number of people with drug-resistant TB dropped from 957 in 2020 to 756 last year.
