This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
File Photo: Health CAS Dr Rashid Aman at a past Ministry of Health Covid-19 briefing.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread in Kenya, the Ministry of Health has reinforced its efforts to protect the most vulnerable, including those suffering from diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, hypertension, and diabetes.
Speaking at the daily Covid-19 briefing on June 30, 2020, CAS Dr. Rashid Aman presented strategies to ensure that those suffering from TB are safe amid the spread of Covid-19.
Dr. Aman announced the launch of two policy documents to guide the fight against TB in Kenya. The first policy document will see Kenya adopt a new treatment regimen for multiple drug-resistant TB, which has been on the rise. This regimen will be devoid of injections, in line with the World Health Organization's call to eliminate injectable treatment for multiple drug-resistant TB to improve treatment outcomes.
The second policy document will focus on the treatment of latent TB, which occurs when a person has the TB bacteria within their body but does not show symptoms. Preventive treatment has proven to be an effective intervention in curtailing the development of active TB disease.
According to CAS Aman, the current cost of latent TB treatment is Sh4500 per treatment, but he is committed to bringing this number down to Sh1500 per treatment.
The move comes as the government works towards meeting the vision 2030 and sustainable development goals of ridding the country of TB, which is the fifth leading cause of death in Kenya and kills about 1.5 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization.
During the briefing, Kenya recorded 176 new positive Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 6,366. While 26 patients were discharged, four Kenyans lost their lives to Covid-19, increasing the number of deaths to 148.
Dr. Aman assured the public that the Ministry of Health is working together with the country to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and prevent community transmission.
