The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has issued a stern warning to the public: Tuberculosis (TB) medication is provided entirely free of charge by the government. Officials cautioned that anyone purchasing TB drugs from private sources is likely buying stolen medication, which poses significant health risks.
This announcement came during a media forum organized by the Ministry to strengthen collaboration between health experts and journalists, coinciding with World TB Day. Dr. Hiwot Solomon, Executive Officer for Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry, emphasized that the government invests between $6,000 and $8,000 annually for the treatment of a single TB patient.
Ethiopia remains among the 30 countries globally with the highest TB burden. Tragically, the disease claims two lives every hour in the country, totaling approximately 19,000 deaths annually.
To combat the spread, the Ministry has expanded diagnostic capabilities, distributing testing equipment to 1,000 health facilities and installing solar panels in 690 rural laboratories. Recent efforts have also integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into screening processes. In the last six months alone, AI-assisted screenings identified approximately 3,500 TB cases among 138,000 people.
Health officials highlighted that TB is highly transmissible. A single infected person can release up to 40,000 droplets into the air through a single cough or sneeze. The Ministry urged the public to practice respiratory hygiene by covering their mouths and noses with a mask or their arm when coughing or sneezing.
Common symptoms of TB include: - A cough lasting two weeks or longer - Fever - Night sweats - Unexplained weight loss - Coughing up blood
While 150,000 patients are currently receiving treatment, health workers are actively conducting door-to-door searches to find an estimated 30,000 "hidden" cases. Those at higher risk include individuals living with TB patients, those with diabetes or HIV, and people residing in poorly ventilated homes.
In addition to the TB update, the Ministry reported that 1,460 new cases of leprosy were identified in the last six months, with 1,800 people currently undergoing treatment. The disease remains a public health concern, with up to 3,000 deaths reported annually in Ethiopia.
Source: Telegram / tikvahethiopia