EDITORIAL: Call for compassion and urgency in fight against drug-resistant TB

The voices of drug-resistant tuberculosis survivors are a stark reminder that behind every statistic lies a human being enduring immense suffering.

Their appeal for shorter, all-oral and safer treatment regimens must not go unheard.

For far too long, patients have endured punishing 18 to 20-month courses marked by painful injections, severe side effects and social stigma.

While Kenya has made notable progress in TB control, the existing treatment model still exacts a heavy toll on patients, families and communities.

The testimonies of survivors—those who faced hearing loss, mental anguish and financial ruin—should serve as a wake-up call for the government and health partners.

Access to modern diagnostic tools and patient-friendly medication is no longer a luxury but a necessity if the nation is to end the cycle of suffering and loss.

It is encouraging that community groups, civil society and TB champions are leading advocacy for change, showing that the fight against DR-TB is not only a medical one but also a social and moral obligation.

Authorities must respond with urgency—fast-tracking the rollout of shorter treatment regimens and ensuring no patient is left behind due to geography or poverty.

Kenya owes its DR-TB survivors not just gratitude for their courage, but decisive policy action that transforms their pain into progress.

Quote of the Day: “They have a right to censure that have a heart to help.”  —English Philosopher, Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, was born on October 14, 1644