Bulawayo, 24 Mar. 2012 -- Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World TB Day under the theme Stop TB in my lifetime. The event, which took place at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo brought together the different players in TB, local and international TB partners, former TB patients, health workers, civil societies and community members, sector government ministries and members of the uniformed forces. In attendance were the Honorable Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera, political leaders from Bulawayo Metropolitan province, Representatives of WHO and the Global Fund, Bulawayo City Health Director, Dr Hwalima, among others.

The event started with a march from Makokoba Township, through the suburbs to the White City Stadium, led by the Honorable Minister and a representative of the WHO Representative. Traffic and business was brought to a standstill in the suburbs as many witnessed the colorful procession.

The commemoration gave due recognition to the role played by individuals and their communities in TB control and adherence to treatment in order to stop TB in our lifetimes. Individuals and community groups demonstrated their knowledge of TB disease and its treatment through music, poetry, dance, and drama. This vast knowledge by members of the community showed that there is hope for Zimbabwe to recognize its goal of eliminating TB.

In a statement read on her behalf, the WHO Representative, Dr Custodia Mandlhate said “This year’s World TB Day Campaign will allow people all over the world to make an individual call tostop TB in their lifetimes; in their lifetimes, today's children should expect to see a world where no one gets sick with TB; in their lifetimes, women and men should expect to see a world where no one dies from TB.” She also urged the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to work together with civil society and the private sector to improve diagnosis of childhood TB which often goes undiagnosed in children below 15 years. “In the world, 200 children die from TB every day, yet it costs less than 3 cents a day to provide therapy that will prevent children from becoming ill with TB and 50 cents a day to provide treatment that will cure the disease” said Dr Mandlhate.

The Honorable Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera, echoed the same sentiments about this year’s theme in his speech. He urged indi-viduals to take control of their health and commit to adhere to treatment if they are to stop TB in their life-time. He also acknowledged that TB/HIV co-infection remains a major problem in the country with over 80% of all new TB patients dually infected. He therefore urged all TB patients to take advantage of the free TB treatment and ART offered in all health centers. Dr Madzorera said his Ministry has trained microscopists in an effort to expand laboratory networks to improve the diagnosis of TB. “Our goal as a Ministry is to offer free high quality care for all TB patients in Zimba-bwe”, said Dr Madzorera