We must do more for TB patient treatment

The National Letters

THE sickness is commonly found in people living and moving in squalid, overcrowded and poorly-ventilated areas. It affects mostly the poor.
Health workers are reluctant to go to these places so most of the people are not aware of the tuberculosis symptom, or how to improve their living conditions.
Many of these people also do not or cannot read so the reports in the media reports do not really help.
I wonder then if the volunteer treatment support system still operates.
I worked as a volunteer treatment supporter for three years, looking after and seeing patients every day.
Before I became a community TB DOTS treatment supporter, I did not know if there was any one living with TB in my community or in my street.
When I became one, I soon realised that almost every household had at least TB sufferer.
I started with Hope Worldwide and finished with World Vision with the TB DOTS programme when they discontinued the volunteer treatment support system. I believe the programme was effective.
Proper identification and training was given to volunteers who had a heart and concern for the community.
People will not come out and say they have TB unless there is a proper support system in place.
The patients themselves are marginalised, discriminated against and abused by immediate family members.
You will only know this if you are familiar with the symptoms of TB and when you live in a community.
I’d like to suggest the following to revive the TB treatment support system:

  • Identify volunteers who can be really committed to the system;
  • provide basic training for the volunteers in aspects of symptoms, medication and counselling; and,
  • Give them a small incentive as appreciation for their efforts.

TB will not go away and is on the rise.

Arthur Moi, Via email