Bugesera residents call for more TB awareness campaigns

Residents of Nyabagendwa Cell, Rilirama Sector in Bugesera District, have urged the government and other stake holders to intensify sensitization campaigns against Tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment.They made the call on Friday during an awareness campaign conducted by Health Development Initiative (HDI) –a local NGO, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Stop TB Partnership.Covering three districts : Gasabo, Bugesera and Muhanga, the campaign aims at promoting community-led TB/HIV awareness initiatives that will ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of TB among People Living with HIV/Aids. “It is the first time we have carried out such a campaign, and for sure, we have learnt many things, including signs of the disease, where we can seek treatment as well as keeping safe from those already infected,” said Florida Mukagakonge, a resident. Another resident told Sunday Times that the campaign was an encouragement to go for a TB test. He also called upon other residents to go for the test.“The officer from HDI told us that anyone can get infected, therefore it was wise to test and get treated on time if one has the disease,” said Bosco Rudahunga.The campaign educates the population on the major signs which include persistent cough, respiratory difficulties, high body temperature, loss of appetite that leads to weight loss, and night perspiration, among others. A popular comedian known to his fans as Kanyombya, with his team, is also part of the campaign as HDI recently entered a partnership with him.Josephine Kamarebe, HDI Programme Officer, said that the move is to ensure that people get treatment as TB is a curable disease.“If a TB patient gets treatment for two weeks, such a person cannot infect others. But the problems arise when a patient takes an under dose,” she said. A tuberculosis patient is supposed to undergo treatment for six months and upon completion of the given dosage, tests must be carried out to determine the condition of the patient.Worldwide, tuberculosis has claimed 1.7 million lives since 2009, and about 7,000 to 8,000 cases are identified in Rwanda every year, according to RBC records.