In quest to evaluate the effects of intervents towards Community TB Control Project (CTBCP) in Machinga District, on Wednesday 20th March 2019, the Mangochi Diocese Social Development Directorate under the arm of Catholic Health Commission held a quarterly review meeting. The conference assessed the impact CTBCP is bringing in Machinga DHO catchment area.
Senior Clinician for Machinga DHO, Mr. Johannes Mkwezalamba who represented the District Health Officer commended Mangochi Diocese Health Commission for efforts made by taking leading initiatives in the fight against TB in Machinga District.
“The Commission has been very instrumental because early detection of TB cases and its management is becoming possible. In this way, the Church has complemented efforts by government and other partners who work tirelessly to against the killer TB disease,” Mkwezalamba said.
Tuberculosis has been a hazard in Machinga DHO. The onset of CTBC Project has unveiled a register of 305 TB positive clients in 2018 in Machinga District alone.
Mkwezalamba urged Health workers in the district to proactively campaign for early detection and management of TB cases. “Lots of lives may be lost if negligence rules our day. I therefore call upon you all to be at the service of your clients. Live to love your job and do not seek to have a job you love. If this is our opted direction to go by, lives will be saved.” Said Mkwezalamba.
Action Aid Technical TB Coordinator Mr. Kondwani Mshali expressed satisfaction on the progress of the project. “Out of five Dioceses we started working with in 2018, Diocese of Mangochi is doing extremely well. Action Aid longs to reach out to other dioceses and share the experience,” Mshali remarked.
Mshali hailed Community Sputum collection volunteers for working diligently. He however mentioned, the global communities and the Malawi government longs TB is eradicated in Malawi by 2025.
Programs Coordinator for the Catholic Health Commission at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Madam Chifundo Mchawa confided with our correspondent that, the Catholic Church in Malawi believes a health person contributes effectively to the development of the church and the nation. Therefore, the ECM Secretariat sought felt obliged to support government’s efforts with checks and balances on how the project is fairing in Machinga.
11 health facilities reported for the workshop.
Mangochi district alone has 42 Health facilities with 80 community Sputum collection points (CSCPs), Machinga district has 21 Health facilities with 72 CSCPs and 12 registration sites while Balaka District has 16 health facilities with 48 CSCPs.
Mangochi Diocese Health Commission rolled down the project in all the districts within the jurisdiction of the diocese i.e. Mangochi, Machinga and Balaka on 31 March, 2018 and it is expected to phase out in December 31, 2020.