Chitipa District Hospital Achieves 90% Success Rate in Tuberculosis Treatment, Care

Malawi-Chitipa District Hospital has achieved a 90% success rate in tuberculosis (TB) treatment and care in 2022, according to the TB coordinator at the hospital, Saulos Kanyinji, writes Wezzie Mwangonde.

The achievement is a result of the collaborative efforts between TB volunteers, partners, and health personnel in the district.

Despite the challenges the hospital is facing in TB treatment and care, such as TB volunteers walking long distances to reach out to TB patients, especially in hard-to-reach areas, the district is still working towards reducing cases of TB in the country.

Kanyinji commended partners such as Christian Aid through Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights African Trust, Partners in Hope, and the National TB programme, with assistance from the Global Fund, for their contributions towards achieving this success rate.

"The 90% success rate in TB treatment and care is one of the achievements towards fighting against TB in the country as a district. TB volunteers, health personnel, and partners have contributed towards this success rate," said Kanyinji.

The actual figures show that 135 TB cases were registered, and out of them, 122 cases successfully completed treatment, representing 90.4% to the nearest 90%.

One of the guardians for TB patients at Chitipa District Hospital, Grace Nthambo from Lufita in Traditional Authority Mwaulambya in the district, also commended health personnel for their work and being always available for TB patients.

"She says health personnel show love and care for their patients by providing medical care and checking the progress of TB patients. Since I came here with my patient, health personnel are very caring; they have given her medication and also check on her progress,” said Nthambo.

Reducing the prevalence of TB in the country remains a priority, and the efforts of the Chitipa District Hospital are commendable.