By Neo Kolane
Lesotho has set itself an ambitious target of reducing the mortality rate of TB by 75 percent and the overall incidence of TB by 50 percent by 2022.
Lesotho is among the countries with the highest TB infections, which is the second leading cause of death. The country ranks 30th among the world’s countries with the highest prevalence of the disease.
The world has branded TB a global problem, and the efforts have been going on for some time to control the spread of TB and have TB-free societies.
The global goal is to end communicable diseases by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
EGPAF’s Senior TB/HIV advisor, Samson Lanje says the Lesotho national TB strategic plan 2018-2022 will find 90 percent of all incident TB cases and place them on appropriate treatment. This is in addition to successfully treating 90 percent of all drug-susceptible TB patients, irrespectively of their HIV status.
