Maureen (not real name), an HIV+ mother of two, is a Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) survivor. Her story is similar to many other TB patients who have contracted TB unknowingly. Maureen contracted Tuberculosis (TB) in 2013 while on a bus from Arua to Kampala. “A man seated behind me, in the bus coughed so hard, and the smell of his breath was so bad,” she narrates.

Abuja, 28 March 2018 - The 35th Expert Review Committee for Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization (ERC) has expressed optimism that the Nigerian programme is on course to achieving polio eradication with ‘impressive progress’ recorded. The ERC meets periodically to evaluate progress towards the attainment of a polio-free Nigeria. The monitoring body provides guidance to the government and partners.

Maiduguri, 28 March 2018 -  “When I heard the voice of my favourite singer, Fati Niger, on radio this morning, she simply made my day,” says Mallam Usman, a 39 year old year old internally displaced person in Dalori camp, Maiduguri, Borno state. 

“My spirit was elated, and instantly I felt relieved of my worries. But more importantly, I learned how to protect myself and my household from cholera, meningitis and Lassa fever. I was keen to listen more, but the music was cut short. I wish it played on and on and on,” said Usman.  

The call was made during the commemoration of World TB Day which was held at Dzivarasekwa Stadium in Harare.  Globally, World TB Day is commemorated on the 24th of March each year, and Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world to commemorate it under the theme “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world” The theme emphasises the need to build leadership commitment to ending TB, not only at political level with the Head of State, Ministers and parliamentarians, but at all leadership levels, including traditional, religious and other community leaders.

Dar es Salaam, 20 March 2018: The introduction of pediatric fixed-dose combination (FDC) treatment for Tuberculosis (TB) offers the opportunity to improve treatment outcome and child survival in Tanzania. The FDC does not contain new drugs but rather improved formulation of currently used medicines recommended by WHO for first line TB treatment.

On 22 March 2018, Ghana joined the rest of the world in commemorating 2018 World TB Day whose theme was "Wanted, Leaders for a TB-Free Ghana.‟ The national launch took place at Mantse Agbona, in James Town- Accra in the Greater Accra Region.

March 2018

In 1996, poliovirus paralysed more than 75,000 children across the continent, in every single country. That year, Nelson Mandela launched ‘Kick Polio Out of Africa’, marking the launch of a unique, cross-sectoral and cross-continental movement to protect all children from paralysis. 

On 24 March Zambia joined the rest of the world to focus on how best to defeat Tuberculosis, (TB), an old disease that can be prevented and treated, but continues to afflict and kill many people. TB is a major public health problem in Zambia and is the commonest opportunistic infection among people living with HIV. The Ministry of Health took the lead in forging a strong partnership with various stakeholders to advocate for intensified actions to eliminate TB in the country under the theme “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-Free world”.