GWERU has recorded an increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases between January to June compared to the same period last year.
NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER
Sister-in-charge of the Ascot Isolation Infectious Disease Hospital, Tambudzai Chiuswa, said the steady rise of TB cases in the city were a cause for concern. The infectious disease hospital is run by the Gweru City Council.
Chiuswa said the hospital has since January attended to nearly 200 TB cases compared to about 120 for the same period last year.
“I was compiling a quarterly report and statistics show that TB cases have gone up compared to the previous years,” she said.
“Normally we used to attend to about 15 to 20 patients per month, but this year has been different as we have attended to close to 200 patients since January.”
Chiuswa was speaking to journalists during a tour of the hospital facilitated by the Anglo American-owned Unki Mine.
The mine refurbished the hospital at a cost of $35 000 as part of its social responsibility programme.
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The refurbishment included new tiling and installing a ceiling, among others.
“This increase is worrying. The increase can also be attributed to the number of Zimbabweans who reside in South Africa and Botswana who come back home to seek treatment at the hospital when they contract TB,” Chiuswa added. TB treatment is free.
The government is conducting a national TB prevalence survey that ends in October to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for the country.
The survey — funded by Global Fund to fight Aids, Malaria and TB — is targeting individuals from 15 years and above.
It is jointly conducted by the Health Ministry and the Biometrical Research and Training Institute (BRTI).
According to the BRTI, TB is a significant public health problem in Zimbabwe with high morbidity and mortality rates.
According to WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2012, the estimated TB incidence in 2011 was 603 cases per 100 000 population.
