TAITA-TAVETA COUNTY WORLD TB DAY CELEBRATIONS HELD AT MWATATE SUB COUNTY, ON 24TH MARCH 2014 FROM 11AM TO 3PM.

THE THEME FOR THE DAY: REACH THE 3 MILLIONS.

World TB Day celebrations for Taita Taveta County were held at Mwatate Sub County.

  1. The Chief Guest was Hon. Gifton Mkaya – CEC For Health Services

Political Leaders In attendance:

  1. Mwatate MP Hon. Andrew Mwadime
  2. Hon. Roseline Mshambala- MCA
  3. Hon.Mary Mngola- MCA
  4. Hon.Rosina Kisochi – MCA
  5. Hon.John Maghanga – MCA
  6. Hon.Godfrey Mwambi – MCA
  7. Hon.Kichoi Wa Mwakanyanga – MCA

County Officials Present Include:

  1. Dr. Catherine Mwamuzi – Chief Officer Health Services Ministry
  2. Dr. John Logedi – County Health Services Director
  3. Margaret Righa – Sub County Administrator
  4. Ward Administrator.
  5. Ward Administrator.
  6. Ward Administrator.
  7. Taita Taveta County Health Management Team

Health Services Stakeholders Present Include:

  1. Taita Taveta Aphya Plus Officials
  2. Taita Taveta World vision Officials
  3. Taita Taveta Red Cross Officials
  4. Taita Taveta NHIF Officials
  5. Taita Taveta St. Josephs Shelter Of Hope Officials

Community Health Workers Groups Present Include:

  1. Moda Mbogho Group
  2. Mwachabo Group
  3. Kwaela Self Help Group

The celebrations kicked Off with Official opening by Minister for Health Services Ministry Taita Taveta County at Kampra Punda.

The Procession walked through Mwatate Town, Mwatate Market to Mwatate Stage which was set for the venue of the World TB celebrations.

The celebrations started with a prayer and there after the unveiling of the TB day Celebrations Theme that stated “REACH THE 3 MILLIONS“Aworldwide population that is affected by TB that is out of reach by medicals doctors treating TB infections.

This was followed by Entertainment from different CHW groups and coming up artists who incorporated their entertainment with the special day’s theme.

Entertainment was followed by Introduction and Speeches form Health Management Team Members from the County, Health Services Stake Holders, political leaders,CountyChief Officer for Heal the Services and finally the chief Guest HonGiftonMkaya County Executive Member for Health Services Ministry in Taita Taveta County.

In His Speech, Hon Mkaya reiterated on the need to reach out to the 3M TB infected population and help them access TB free testing and treatment in our many Health facilities. The Minister for Health advised the community to seek medical attention as soon as the experience TB related symptoms because early TB treatment is easy and cheap for the ministry. He also asked the community to shun away from discriminating TB patients as a way of fighting stigmatization that TB patients go through as a result.

The minister called upon everyboby to control the spread TB disease by avoiding crowded, unventilated places and seek Free TB testing and TB treatment as the best way in fighting the communicable disease that is dangerous but treatable for free in our county health facilities in a period of 6 months.

He concluded his speech by recognizing the immense contributions by Community Health Workers present in the celebrations towards fighting TB disease in their very rural homes. Through their collaboration with county Health officers and other Health Services stake holders such as Aphya Plus and world vision have brought success in reaching out to many TB affected people in Remote areas of Taita Taveta County. He also thanked the County Members of Assembly present for their continued support in helping the County Health Ministry deliver better Services to its County Citizens.

AFYA YANGU JUKUMU LANGU….AFYA YAKO JUKUMU LAKO…..AFYA YETU JUKUMU LETU.