Tuberculosis still remains a major killer of children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 1 million children suffer from TB each year and 140,000 children die of this preventable, treatable, and curable disease. In 2015, Kenya reported nearly 7,000 cases of TB in infants and children, with those under age five at greatest risk of having severe forms of TB and dying from the disease.
Previously, caregivers had to cut or crush multiple, bitter-tasting pills in an attempt to achieve the right doses for children. This made the six-month treatment journey difficult for children and their families, contributing to treatment failure and death from the disease. The improved formulations come in the correct doses, require fewer pills, are flavored and dissolve in water.
“I look forward to the medicine’s roll out policy at national and county level, I also hope that the government takes to account patient needs and that the medicines reach the children who need them the most”, remarked Lucy Ghati, Programme manager HIV and TB at KELIN.
This launch was timely, especially for children who have TB, as it works towards achieving the right to the highest attainable standard of health for children, as enshrined at Article 53(2) of the Constitution of Kenya.
To contribute to the discussion and for live updates follow KELIN on our social media platforms:
Twitter: @KELINkenya
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
For more information contact:
Lucy Ghati
Programme Manager, HIV & TB
Mombasa Road, Somak building 4th Floor
P O Box 112 – 00200 KNH Nrb,
Tel: 020, 2515790 │Mobile: 0790 487473, 0722 747382
E-mail: lghati@kelinkenya.org
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
