By Bill W. Cooper
First Lady, Kartumu Y. Boakai, has revealed that Liberia has achieved a recorded tuberculosis (TB) treatment success rate of 76.6 percent, a significant milestone in the fight against the deadly disease that has plagued the nation for years.
But despite this success, Madam Boakai also emphasized the need for continued efforts to eradicate TB completely, with a call for the government, healthcare workers, and citizenry, to work together, ensuring that every person affected by TB receives treatment and support.
The First Lady spoke yesterday, March 25, 2024, at a program marking the official commemoration of the World TB 2024, under the theme: “Yes We Can End TB,” at the Golden Gate Hotel in Paynesville.
March 24 of each year, governments around the world commemorate World TB Day to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB), and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease, as this year celebration is being organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and partners.
Delivering her keynote address, the First Lady also highlighted the importance of early detection and treatment in preventing the spread of TB and saving citizens’ lives across the country.
She, at the same time, stressed the need for increased funding and resources to improve TB prevention and control programs in Liberia, noting that, with collective effort and determination, Liberia can overcome the challenges posed by TB and ultimately eradicate the disease.
Madam Boakai asserted, “Our country’s TB treatment success rate stands at 76.6 percent, according to the 2023 Demographic and Health Indicator Survey. This is testament to the dedication of our healthcare workers and the tenacity of our people.”
“However, we cannot afford complacency. We must strengthen our resolve to improve these success rates even further because the post-2015 End TB Strategy adopted by the World Health Assembly, aims to reduce TB deaths by 95 percent and cut new cases by 90 percent between 2015 and 2035, and this goal is achievable but through collective action and sustainable investment,” she said.
According to her, as Liberians face not only the disease, but also the economic strain it places on their families, it becomes clear that no one should have to endure extremely high expenses because of TB.
She stressed the urgency of everyone’s mission to ensure that no family is burdened by such costs, and indicated that it is a health imperative, as well as a socioeconomic one, that government must work to prevent TB from pushing Liberians into poverty due to low income.
Madam Boakai asserted, “So, to the citizens and residents of Liberia, I call on you to take action. If you or a family member shows early signs of TB, such as coughing, night sweats, weight loss, or fever, seek medical attention promptly because adherence to treatment is crucial.”
“Completing TB therapy is essential for both personal recovery and the health of our community. Health workers, please maintain vigilance and wear masks; I also implore everyone to avoid crowded places where the risk of transmission is higher,” she maintained.
The First Lady further assured that, “Despite the odds and the daunting figures, let me reassure you that we’ve seen successes in TB prevention, lives reclaimed, and hope restored. Let us celebrate our successes in TB prevention, demonstrating that progress is happening.”
She said “Every breath we take is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and every life saved is a victory against an ancient adversary. As your First Lady, I am committed to supporting and championing this fight because the health of our nation is the wealth of our future.”
“So, as the mother of the land, I call on us all to confront the challenges that hinder our progress toward eliminating this horrific disease. Limited resources, social stigma, and complacency threaten to undermine our achievements.
Yet, as Nelson Mandela once inspired us, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Let’s draw from our own Liberian history, reminding ourselves that no mountain is too high when our will is strong. Even in these challenging times, our resolve remains firm,” Madam Boakai added.
