Lodwar – March 24, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
The County, led by Deputy Governor Dr John Erus, marked World Tuberculosis (TB) Day with an announcement to enhance diagnostic services by acquiring two digital X-ray machines and two GeneXpert machines in the next financial year.
In 2024, a total of 3,443 TB cases were reported, with children, adolescents, and young adults accounting for 27% of cases. Due to the high case load, last year Turkana was categorized as one of the ten counties with a high TB burden.
The county’s plan aligns with this year’s theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”, providing an opportunity to reflect on ongoing efforts and encourage stronger commitments at local, national, and international levels to end TB by 2030.
“Our fight against TB is not just about machines or medicine—it is about people. While the treatment success rate of 86% and a cure rate of 59% are commendable, the 9% of lives lost to the disease reminds us that we still have work to do,” said the Deputy Governor.
He added that the new X-ray and GeneXpert machines will be strategically placed in Katilu, Kaikor, Lokichar, and Lorugum sub-county hospitals to improve screening, diagnosis, and early treatment, ultimately enhancing health outcomes across the county.
Over the years, Turkana County has increased the number of TB treatment sites to 82 and diagnostic sites to 45, improving diagnosis, screening, and early treatment in an effort to reduce the high TB burden and ensure access to treatment across the county.
“We are making significant progress in reducing TB infections through increased screening across health facilities,” said Deputy Governor Dr. Erus.
The event, held at Kanamkemer Sub-county Hospital, also provided free services, including TB screening using digital X-ray with AI, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration.
County Executive for Health and Sanitation, Dr Epem Esekon, urged residents to register for SHA, emphasizing that it will guarantee access to affordable healthcare.
“The county will also revive the cross-border TB treatment sites to ensure continued access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment along border points,” he said.
Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive, Janerose Tioko, stated that the county was exploring ways to support TB patients through improving their livelihoods.
World Relief Kenya Turkana Team Leader, Micah Ikachoi, committed to supporting the county’s efforts to increase contact tracing in order to reduce TB transmission.
During the event, over 150 people were screened for TB, with 35 of them being X-rayed and 17 sputum samples collected for further analysis.
Attendees included Turkana Central Deputy County Commissioner Thomas Siele and Sub-county Administrator Esther Kiyonga, senior health officials, the Turkana Central Sub-Health Management Team, the Kenya Red Cross Society, Lodwar Hills Hospital, Namo Hospital, and Tumaini Medical Center.
