Tuberculosis Drugs Free

The airborne disease Tuberculosis is currently affecting approximately 59,000 people in Zambia. It is caused by bacteria, and most commonly affects the lungs and respiratory system. It targets those with weaker immune systems. Highly infectious, and passed by someone coughing, sneezing or spitting, Tuberculosis is also the world’s top infectious killer, according to the World Health Organization.

A Ministry of Health spokesperson, Dr. Kalangwa Kalangwa, said that every day at least 15 people die from the disease, and he called on the public to seek treatment as early as possible. On the one hand, it is a positive that the disease is preventable, and curable. On the other hand, the number of people living with the disease is far too high.

Dr Kalangwa said, “currently we have medications for TB on our health facilities, and these medications are actually accessed for free, procured by the government, and also it is supported by our cooperation partners.”

Dr Lilungwe Muti is working with the initiative USAid TBLON which is currently running in 8 provinces in Zambia. She told ZNBC, “the project mainly looks at ensuring TB prevention, care and treatment.”

There is a collaborative effort between initiatives such as USAid and the Zambian government to give TB drugs free of charge, and distributing them to patients for free too.