TB survey kicks off

NGOMA – The national tuberculosis control unit has started a countrywide survey on the disease’s prevalence. The nine-month survey, to cost $2.5 million, was launched in Rukumberi Sector, Ngoma District, this week.According to medical experts, the cases to be investigated include bacteriological prevalence of tubercle bacilli in sputum, radiological prevalence of chest abnormalities associated with tuberculosis in adults, and hypersensitivity to tuberculin in children.The function was presided over by the Minister of Health Dr Agnes Binagwaho, who said that the screening would be conducted by a specialised team.“This will help in strengthening routine TB surveillance, guide national policies for the control of TB and assist in measuring progress towards achievement of targets for TB control”.“Laboratories and radiographies have been identified and equipped to process sputum smears. At least 610 people will be tested in each cell...the exercise is vital to help the government make tangible plans, to uproot the pandemic,” she said.Dr Michel Gasana, the head of TB and other respiratory diseases unit at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) noted that the survey will help come up with reliable estimates on future TB control strategies.He said the main objective was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the population aged 15 years and above.

National

TB survey kicks off