Zimbabwe introduces new TB drug

Zimbabwe has become the latest and one of the few countries in the region to roll out the latest tuberculosis (TB) drug called Delamanid, which is taken once a day.

This comes as drug-resistant TB rate continues to rise in the country.

The new TB treatment programme will see people affected by the disease taking one drug per day as opposed to between 12 and 16 tablets per day.

The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa said the introduction of the new drug is anticipated to help the country improve cure rates.

Dr Parirenyatwa also confirmed that the government has also acquired 20 digital x-rays that have been installed in provincial hospitals across the country and more machines will be availed in district hospitals.

This coming Saturday, on the 1st of April, Zimbabwe will join the rest of the world in commemorating the World TB Day.

The TB bacterium is spread through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 70 percent of the global TB and HIV and AIDS co-infections are in Sub-Saharan Africa and Zimbabwe is ranked number 20 among countries in this category.