First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera has called for enhanced efforts in information dissemination on Tuberculosis to address stigma, which is said to be hindering efforts to combat the disease in Malawi.
Speaking at a high-level breakfast at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, organised for Global Fund officials and other partners, Madam Chakwera highlighted the critical role of information in identifying undetected TB cases.
Madam Chakwera said nearly half of TB cases are undetected and information is critical in addressing the challenge to achieve the goal of eradicating the disease by 2030.
The First Lady commended Global Fund and other partners for its unwavering financial assistance towards ending the disease in the country.
Board Chair Lady for Global Fund, Roselyn Elizabeth Morauta, said the Global Fund will continue to support Malawi in screening and treatment programmes and provision of diagnostic tools.
Malawi is said to have reduced the TB incidence rate by 61%, increased treatment success rate to 90% and has reduced TB/HIV co-infection rate from 77% in 2003 to 47% in 2023.
By Beatrice Mwape
