The STOP TB Partnership – Kenya has launched its first ever Strategic Plan (2014-2018) with a call to all Kenyans to Do something, Do more, and Do better together.
The Strategic Plan addresses social determinants of health, and taps into the capabilities and capacities of the corporate sector, the government and all Kenyans, including TB Patients, who are at the core of the partnership.
The STOP TB Partnership – Kenya, whose overarching vision is to attain a healthy and prosperous Kenya free of Tuberculosis and other poverty related diseases, will implement the Strategic Plan by spearheading a year-round doorstep-reaching platform for a healthy and prosperous Kenya free from TB and other poverty-related diseases.
Over 150 invitees drawn from different settings of the Kenyan population, including the work place, religious bodies, educational institutions, congregate populations, sports bodies, health workers, media, and migrant population, attended the launch.
Dr Enos Masini, Head of the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Disease Program (NTLD – Program) was the chief guest at the launch that aimed at encouraging the private sector to join the Partnership in order to prevent and ultimately eliminate TB, increasing productivity of the workforce and consequently realise the economic returns of a healthy and productive workforce.
In his speech, Dr Masini noted that financing remains a significant challenge, with a majority of funding coming from the Ministry of Health and donors. “In the face of a shrinking donor pool, there is need for home-grown solutions to eliminate TB,” he said. This informs the need to rope in the private sector, individuals and other players in support of TB control. Such support is not necessarily financial but can also be in the form of ideas as well as technical skills and capacity.
“The goals and milestones outlined in the Strategic Plan speak to the identified need of bringing other players who have not been on board. If met, they will lead Kenya towards being a TB free country,” he added.
Also speaking at the forum, Dr Jeremiah Chakaya, interim Chair of the STOP TB Partnership – Kenya said, “The Partnership recognises that poverty and ignorance are the root causes of this disease.
We urge all Kenyans to strive to be healthy and prosperous, with the longest possible high quality life expectancy from womb to tomb.” he said.
Speaking at the launch, Ms Evaline Kibuchi, Chief National Coordinator of STOP TB Partnership – Kenya made a rallying call for all attendants to make a commitment to stop TB in their respective settings.
“Let us think about what we can do to fight TB in our settings…for instance, for those of us working in churches can take five minutes to talk about TB in church on Sunday,” she said.
In a highly interactive discussion on the role of players in the respective settings, participants suggested possible solutions that can contribute towards the elimination of TB in Kenya. These included the need for increased advocacy, de-stigmatisation of TB, socio-economic empowerment of TB patients, translating theory to practice, and support for TB patients in places of work and efforts to change the attitude and approach of health practitioners providing TB services.
At the meeting, representatives made symbolic commitments to fight TB in their respective settings by signing statements bonding the signatories to do more in the fight against TB in Kenya.
The development of the STOP TB Partnership – Kenya Strategic Plan has been supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Tuberculosis Accelerated and Response Care (TB ARC) Activity as part of the sustainability strategy for TB Care and control in Kenya.
Download the Stop TB Partnership Strategic Plan 2014-2018