As the world prepares to mark Tuberculosis Day on March 24, statistics show that six counties recorded an increment of TB cases by 20 per cent while 41 counties dropped by 8.7 per cent within 2018 and 2020.
Samwel Misoi, an officer with the national TB, Leprosy and Lung Disease program, experts were unsure whether the drop was linked to the outbreak of Covid-19 and are investigating to know the truth.
The officer said according to Research cases of TB increased by the 20 percent in Nyamira, Samburu, Bomet, Mandera, Elgeyo Marakwet and Siaya counties while it decreased in the rest of the counties.
“We want to know whether the drop in TB cases is related to Covid 19, stigma or discrimination,” Misoi said at St. Vincent Pastoral centre on Monday during a one day media training for journalists drawn from Migori and Kisii counties.
He noted in 2018, 2019 and 2020; 96478, 86,504, and 73,018 cases of TB were reported nationally respectively and treated and recovered.
The officer urged people with TB related symptoms of fever, coughing, chest pains and difficulty in breathing to seek free services at health facilities to avoid complications.
