“We urgently need the policy to provide guidance on where to isolate TB patients (who have challenges adhering to medication), the procedure to be followed, and the minimum institutional and structural standards for a proper isolation ward,” said Teresa Michieka, a senior nursing officer at Rift Valley General Hospital.
This was during multi-stakeholder dialogues on TB and Human Rights in Nakuru (Sept 12, 2016) and Homa Bay (Sept 14, 2016). The dialogues brought together different stakeholders including TB Survivors, CSO representatives, health care workers, law enforcement officers (Police and Prisons officers), county health departments, county law and policy makers, among others.
The National Government, in consultation with County Governments, was urged to fast-track development of the policy, in compliance with a court order. The court order was a result of a successful case by KELIN. Additionally, the stakeholders called upon county governments to start putting in place isolation wards in their facilities. Homa Bay County which already has an isolation ward for TB patients urged other counties to take leadership in creation of isolation units to ensure that human rights of patients are protected.
KELIN used the dialogues to share with stakeholders the outcome on TB case judgment and its implications in terms of policy and programming for TB at the county and national level.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platforms using the hash tag #TBRights
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: +254 790 487473, +254 722 747382
E-mail: lghati@kelinkenya.org
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
