On 24 March every year, the world commemorates World TB Day, to raise awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB)
and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. This year, the National event was held at Tangamano grounds in the Tanga region where the Guest of Honor was Minister
of Health, Hon Ummy Mwalimu accompanied by other Goverment officials.
To commemorate this year’s World TB day, the theme was “’Invest to End TB. Save Lives” with emphasis on conveying the urgent need to invest on resources to ramp up the
fight against TB and achieve the commitments to end TB made by global leaders. In her speech Hon. Ummy Mwalimu said that the government is doing its best to strengthen
TB sector due to the increase in TB incidences. The data reported when the world was at the height of combating the COVID-19 pandemic indicated that 87,000 people were
diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) during this period, and a total of 26,800 people died of TB in 2021 in the country.
Speaking when she visited the NACOPHA Pavilion, Hon. Ummy Mwalimu applauded the National Council of People Living with HIV (NACOPHA), for its efforts in raising the
voice of People Living with HIV in Tanzania and urged other partners like MKUTA to adopt NACOPHA structures in order the expand coverage and increase sustainability of
their initiatives and programs. Moreover, Hon Ummy emphasized that all stakeholders should advocate for an increase in investment in TB and to ensure that TB services are
integrated into the primary health care response, and that all stakeholders must work more closely with the communities, leveraging their expert local knowledge to tailor the
response for maximum impact.
World TB Day commemoration provides an opportunity to recognize the essential roles that communities have played in TB prevention and control and continue to play a part
in HIV response at the international and national levels towards attaining 95 95 95 targets.
During the commemoration, the PLHIV empowerment groups from Tanga City Council showcased their income generating activities. Different stakeholders participated in this
year’s commemorations including Stop TB Tanzania, AMREF, Red cross and MDH to mention a few.
