Chinese Medical Team Transforms TB Treatment for Tanzanian Youth

Seif Hassan Mbarouk, a TB patient in Zanzibar, credits the Chinese medical team for his recovery. This year’s World Tuberculosis Day emphasizes the fight against TB, calling for global healthcare investment. Despite progress in Tanzania, challenges like low detection rates and drug-resistant TB persist, necessitating continued awareness and improved healthcare systems to eradicate the disease.

On March 24, World Tuberculosis Day is commemorated annually to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB), recognized as the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Seif Hassan Mbarouk, a 25-year-old tuberculosis patient from Zanzibar, credits the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team for his recovery, which allowed him to participate in the global celebration. His treatment at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital has significantly eased his symptoms of drug-resistant TB, inspiring hope among fellow patients.

Mbarouk’s struggle began last August with persistent coughing and headaches, initially misdiagnosed as pneumonia. After several unsuccessful weeks of treatment, he sought help from Chinese doctors, who diagnosed him with drug-resistant tuberculosis and provided life-saving care. His message to others is clear: “Do not fear the disease. With proper medication, TB is curable.”

According to Dr. Rashid Hassan Ali of Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, TB remains a prevalent issue in Zanzibar, with many patients receiving late diagnoses due to inadequate healthcare resources in remote areas. The Chinese medical team has been instrumental in addressing this challenge, employing advanced techniques such as bronchoscopic diagnosis, which was previously unavailable in Zanzibar.

Chen Wei, the leader of the Chinese medical team, noted that, despite the country’s progress in combating TB, challenges persist, including low case detection rates and a significant prevalence of drug-resistant TB due to improper antibiotic use. He underscored the need for increased public health awareness and improved healthcare resources, especially in grassroots clinics.

The Chinese medical team also engages in community outreach through free clinics and educational campaigns aimed at promoting early TB detection and treatment adherence. Chen contrasts the TB treatment landscape in Tanzania with the more integrated system in China, highlighting the challenges that arise from unequal access to medical resources.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Tanzania has seen a 40% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, making strides towards a significant reduction in TB-related deaths. The WHO’s 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report emphasizes the need for global efforts to eradicate TB, with the theme for this year being “Yes, We Can End TB – Commit, Invest, Deliver.” Governments are called upon to strengthen healthcare systems and extend TB services, particularly in underserved areas, through comprehensive measures such as screening and psychosocial support.

This article highlights the importance of international medical collaboration in combating drug-resistant tuberculosis in Tanzania. The intervention of the Chinese medical team has not only improved individual patient outcomes but has also enhanced local healthcare capabilities. With continued efforts in public health awareness, early detection, and treatment adherence, there is potential for significant progress in reducing TB incidence and mortality rates in the country. Overall, the commitment to addressing TB through global cooperation remains crucial in the fight against this devastating disease.

Original Source: english.news.cn