Health officials raise concern over across border TB management

Health officials drawn from Kenya and Tanzania have raised concerns over challenges that hamper cross-border tuberculosis (TB) management.

The health officials said, patient disappearances, family secrecy and administrative red tape were undermining treatment efforts, thus fueling complications that led to death.

John Alila, a clinical officer coordinating TB cross-border activities in Nyatike sub-county, admitted that they were facing challenges tracking patients.

Alila regretted that individuals often seek medical services only to vanish mid-treatment. "We need a follow-up, but we lose them as they disappear across the border, while some come back with complications and even die," he said.