WORLD TB DAY 2023 - 'Yes! We Can End TB!'

West Pokot County joined the rest of the world in marking World TB Day 2023, to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic with this year’s theme being 'Yes! We can end TB!',

The county government in partnership with USAID AMPHATH Uzima, President's Emergency Plan For Aids Relief (PEPFAR), USAID, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, WHO, TB-Accelerated Response and Care II, Center for Health Solutions, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, AMREF Health Africa, Health IT, Kenya Red Cross,

Respiratory Society of Kenya, Stop TB partnership Kenya, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Kenya Aids NGOs Consortium, the event was celebrated by a procession from Kodich Dispensary to Kodich Center where residents attended to commemorate the day through educational songs, skits and speeches to create awareness about TB and share success stories.

Led by the County Director of Public Health and Sanitation, Dr. Benson Chumakemer who represented the Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation, it was noted that West Pokot County is among the counties with high TB burden.

With this in mind the county government has made tremendous steps towards TB awareness and eradication. The county has 66 facilities offering TB treatment services, 28 diagnostic sites including 4 gene expert machines at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital, 3 at sub-county hospitals and 1 truenat machine at Alale Health center. West Pokot County also has 3 x-ray sites including Kacheliba which help in identifying presumptive cases.

"As we mark this day, we urge all of us to be screened for TB in all of our health facilities to ensure that diagnosis is done early and treatment initiated promptly." Said Dr. Chumakemer.

Residents were also urged to observe sanitation by having latrines in every household, proper use of the latrines, consumption of clean water and general cleanness.

The celebration was attended by area MCA Hon. Paul Loktari, Daniel Lopale-Chief officer Public Service Management, Erick Maroa-Assistant County Commissioner, Dinah Poghisho - County Director Nursing Services, ministry of health officials among other officials.