WINDHOEK– Tuberculosis(TB) remains a major health problem and the second leading cause of death in Namibia due to infection disease despite the availability of affection treatment, the Minister of Health and Social Services MHSS), Richard Kamwi earlier this year pointed out.
Further, the MHSS’ annual report for 2011/2012 indicates that Namibia is amongst countries worst affected by a very high number of TB cases. According to the report, 98% of the patients re-treated for TB in 2010 were evaluated in 2011. The treatment success rate for this category of patients was at 71%, slightly reduced from 73% during the previous year.
Kamwi on the occasion of the commemoration of ‘World TB day in March this year said Namibia has seen a significant decline in the number of people being diagnosed with TB over the past few years. In 2012, statistics indicated that 11,145 patients were diagnosed with TB, which is a 7% decline from the 11,924 diagnosed in 2011. This trend in decline was noted since 2004, the Minister said.
Over 600 children under the age of five years were diagnosed with TB in 2012. Based on international trends, Namibia is expected to be detecting about double this number if diagnostic in children are improved, Kamwi said on that occasion.
By Sabina Elago