MDR-TB, a challenge to Government efforts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
However a constant threat to government's efforts remains the co-existence of tuberculosis TB and HIV, as it is very difficult to treat people infected with both.
Normally a person diagnosed with HIV, but not yet sick to qualify for ARV treatment is placed on TB treatment to prevent latent TB - to help strengthen their immunity to the TB antigen. In line with World Health Organisation and Botswana government standard people found to be HIV positive are put on Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (TB treatment) for six months. Failure to complete the treatment may result in a strain of TB that is more difficult to treat, called Multi Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB). This, according to the Ministry of health, has become the latest challenge to government's overall health initiatives. This is because MDR-TB, is resistant to isoniazid and refampicin, two drugs used in the treatment of TB.
According to a press statement from the police, unidentified armed men attacked on duty police officers at the station in the early hours of Tuesday.During the attack, the suspects stole 14 riffles, five pistols and an undisclosed number of ammunition.Although unconfirmed, it is alleged that the suspects were just carrying knives and axes, which they used to scare the men and women in uniform before they took them hostage to help themselves to...