By Lumbiwe Mwanza
GOVERNMENT must increase funding towards the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) if we are to meet objectives towards eradicating the catastrophic impact of the disease in Zambia, Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) has said.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health revealed that in 2022, Zambia lost over 7000 people to TB.
And speaking to The Scoop today, TALC Director Felix Mwanza says the 2022-2026 engagement strategy for HIV/TB/ Malaria and National Community Led Monitoring Strategy and Plan (NCLMSP) aimed at improving the monitoring and engagement should be well operationalised.
‘’The problem that we seem to have is the operationalization of such documents. When you look at the strategy itself, it is a very progressive strategy but we are failing to operationalise what we put on paper and this has to do with finances. Finances towards TB eradication are not sufficient,” Mr. Mwanza said.
He has expressed confidence that once Zambia increases funding towards TB eradication programs, most challenges arising from TB as an epidemic will be addressed.
Zambia will on the 24th March join the global community in commemorating the annual World TB Day aimed at raising awareness about TB and efforts to end the global epidemic.
