Most children above five years at risk of contracting TB

The majority of children above the age of five in Kenya remain at a high risk of contracting tuberculosis, data from the Ministry of Health shows.

It indicates only 2,577 children over five years out of a target of 63,980 were put on TB Preventive Therapy (TPT) in 2021.

TPT is given to people who have been exposed to TB infection, those with latent disease, or those who are at higher risk of developing the disease.

The data released by the ministry on Thursday shows 35,120 persons with HIV out of a targeted 78,590 (45 per cent) were put on TPT.

It also shows 6,191 children under five out of a targeted 35,640 were put on TB preventive treatment.

Cumulatively, out of the 178,210 targeted persons for TPT in 2021, 43,888 (48 per cent) were successfully put on TPT.

It indicates that 7,491 children under 15 years out of targeted 15,200 (49 per cent) and 70,363 adults (above 15 years) out of a target of 106,100 were diagnosed with TB and put on treatment.

Cumulatively, out of the 121,300 targeted TB cases, 77,854 cases (64 per cent) were diagnosed and put on TB treatment in 2021.

“The statistics above show that the country is not performing to the expectations and commitments that we signed up to in the UNHLM meeting of 2018,” Health CAS Rashid Aman said.

The CAS spoke during the launch of Introducing New Tools Project (iNTP) in Mathare.

The project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health National TB Programme, USAID, Stop TB Partnership and Centre for Health Solutions – Kenya.

The aim is to roll out a package of the latest innovations in diagnostics, treatments and digital health technologies.

The project aims to support Kenya to reach the 2022 targets for the detection and treatment of TB.

Some of the tools include 38 Truenat machines, the first WHO-recommended rapid molecular test for the detection of TB and rifampicin resistance that can be used at a peripheral level.

Others include eight lightweight portable digital chest X-ray equipment, computer-aided detection (CAD), digital adherence technology (DATs) and two interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs).

“Today we can now test drug resistance within hours and have treatment sites spread all across the country, not to mention other technologies,” Evaline Kibuchi from the TB-Partnership programme said.

“It has taken a lot of investment in research and development and a lot of political goodwill to facilitate the adoption process coupled with a good policy environment,” she added.

Edited by A.N