MUHANGA- Tuberculosis (TB) patients have said that they need help to meet the costs of managing the side effects of the heavy medication they take.

The patients made the appeal during the World TB Day that was marked at Kabgayi Hospital, Muhanga district, yesterday.

The event was presided over by Dr. Corine Karema, the acting Director General of Trac plus. Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) and various medical and health research experts were also present.

The patients said that the greatest challenge they face is good food.

 "The medication is very strong and it requires that we eat good food and take a lot of drinks.

Most of us cannot afford this and in most cases the process of treatment is slowed since the body is overwhelmed by the medicine,” said Rose Uwimana one of the TB patients.

Health experts, however, indicated the number of TB cases in Rwanda, has dropped with a minimal difference, from 7800 to 7000 patients between 2008 and 2009. The statistics also indicate that the 86% of the treated cases have been successfully cured between 2007 and 2011.

The Mayor of Muhanga, Yvonne Mutakwasuku, called for a change in old cultural practices that facilitate the transmission of infectious diseases.

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