By Shepherd Masunda
The Zimbabwe National TB Conference, organized by the Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and other stakeholders, is set to run from October 29 to 31 at the Mandel Training Centre in Harare.
The conference will be held under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Innovation, Sustainable Financing and Person-Centered Care to End TB.”
According to the Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe, the event aims to unite government officials, affected communities, civil society organizations, and international partners to discuss innovative strategies against the disease.
The conference emphasizes the need for collective action to combat TB, which remains a significant public health challenge in Zimbabwe. Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Stanley Sibanda, Vice National Coordinator of the Zimbabwe Network of TB Survivors (ZNNTBS), highlighted the critical need for continued research, innovation, community engagement, and sustainable financing to end TB.
National TB Champion Barbra Farashishiko thanked the organizers for their efforts and support for TB survivors.
“I would like to thank everyone who is working hard to make this conference a success,” said Farashishiko. “We expect to meet TB survivors from all walks of life, and I am looking forward to a candle-lighting ceremony where we will remember those who have departed due to TB-related infections.”
She added that the event will be key for presenting awards to those who have worked tirelessly in the fight against TB, which will serve as a motivation for many survivors.
With an estimated 33,000 people falling ill with TB annually, Zimbabwe is among the top 30 countries globally burdened by TB/HIV co-infections and multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). This conference will provide a crucial platform for stakeholders to share experiences, discuss challenges, and identify solutions to address the TB epidemic at the national, regional, and international levels.
