Community Watch: New TB initiative launched
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ZDDT.org has this month launched the Regina Bhebhe Blog - a regular column authored by Regina Bhebhe that will focus on the Tuberculosis (TB) situation on the ground in Zimbabwe.
Bhebhe, a Bulawayo based health care activist and laboratory technician, takes an active interest in the treatment and cure of TB.
“There is generally no information on TB as a disease,” she says, “Even on its transmission and prevention, such that TB2 is termed, by many, as HIV”. Her view is that the public knows little because available data has scant information. Early diagnosis is therefore impossible because victims, in most cases, cannot identify the symptoms.
For this reason, Regina has implemented the Community Based Early TB Diagnosis, Initiative and Consultancy (CBETBDIC). She says, “The aim is to continue advocacy among health care providers, politicians and within the community, for all of them to be committed in stopping the disease. This idea to form CBETBDIC has been on my mind since 2006, but I was committed with finishing the TB project at the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory under the Ministry of Health”.
In April this year, Bhebhe showcased the CBETBDIC at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in an effort to publicise TB issues. “The ZITF exposure was meant to promote awareness in the organisation. We exhibited so that people could liaise with us on the issues of transmission and prevention”, said Regina. Communication and drug availability are key, as well as mobilising health care providers within the communities.
This dedicated and passionate woman believes community awareness, from grass roots upwards, is imperative in the strategic formulation of ‘policy’ and the strengthening of the health care system.
We applaud her efforts and perseverance in achieving the vision of a healthier and better informed Zimbabwe!
ZDDT.org has this month launched the Regina Bhebhe Blog - a regular column authored by Regina Bhebhe that will focus on the Tuberculosis (TB) situation on the ground in Zimbabwe.
Bhebhe, a Bulawayo based health care activist and laboratory technician, takes an active interest in the treatment and cure of TB.
“There is generally no information on TB as a disease,” she says, “Even on its transmission and prevention, such that TB2 is termed, by many, as HIV”. Her view is that the public knows little because available data has scant information. Early diagnosis is therefore impossible because victims, in most cases, cannot identify the symptoms.
For this reason, Regina has implemented the Community Based Early TB Diagnosis, Initiative and Consultancy (CBETBDIC). She says, “The aim is to continue advocacy among health care providers, politicians and within the community, for all of them to be committed in stopping the disease. This idea to form CBETBDIC has been on my mind since 2006, but I was committed with finishing the TB project at the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory under the Ministry of Health”.
In April this year, Bhebhe showcased the CBETBDIC at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in an effort to publicise TB issues. “The ZITF exposure was meant to promote awareness in the organisation. We exhibited so that people could liaise with us on the issues of transmission and prevention”, said Regina. Communication and drug availability are key, as well as mobilising health care providers within the communities.
This dedicated and passionate woman believes community awareness, from grass roots upwards, is imperative in the strategic formulation of ‘policy’ and the strengthening of the health care system.
We applaud her efforts and perseverance in achieving the vision of a healthier and better informed Zimbabwe!