Malawi on Sunday joined the rest of the world in commemorating TB and Leprosy Day, honouring Karonga as the best-performing district in reducing the number of deaths and of people contracting TB.
The commemoration took place at Khaya Primary School ground in Mulanje District.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Mathias Joshua, who represented the Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to end TB and leprosy by 2030.
He said the government has implemented strategies to reduce the number of people contracting TB, including house-to-house tracing of patients and establishing community sputum collection points.
He also highlighted that the fight against TB and leprosy will now be conducted jointly.
WHO representative in Malawi, Ishmael Nyasulu, urged people to avoid discriminating against those with TB and leprosy.
At the same event, Lauren Tembenu Haukeya of Mibawa TV was recognised as the best reporter on issues of TB and leprosy and took home a trophy, certificate and a smartphone.
Montfort Mission Hospital in Chikwawa was awarded the best private hospital for its efforts in working towards the elimination of TB and leprosy in the country.
The theme for this year was ‘Yes, we can end TB and beat leprosy’.
