Maseru, May 08 — The Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Tlohang Sekhamane, says the launch of the Tuberculosis (TB) Caucus in Parliament demonstrates Parliament’s readiness to play a pivotal role in the fight against TB.
Mr. Sekhamane said this during the launch of the TB Caucus at the National Assembly on Friday, where he also accepted to serve as TB Champion, saying it is important for leaders to participate in matters affecting the people.
He noted that TB is not only a health issue, but also a developmental challenge as it affects education, the economy and livelihoods.
He said the disease continues to affect the most vulnerable groups, particularly the poor, women, mineworkers and people living with HIV/AIDS.
“TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, surpassing COVID-19, despite being preventable and curable,” he said.
Mr. Sekhamane added that Members of Parliament, as legislators, have a responsibility to protect vulnerable populations, promote equitable access to health services, reduce stigma and ensure that no Mosotho is left behind in TB treatment.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Health, Mrs. ‘Mamokete Nts’ekhe, said the TB burden in Lesotho is worsened by the high prevalence of HIV, with 49 percent of TB patients co-infected with HIV.
She said TB continues to contribute significantly to mortality, with an estimated 187 deaths per 100,000 populations, of which 69 percent are linked to HIV.
Mrs. Nts’ekhe, however, said the country has made measurable progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and the End TB Strategy targets by 2035.
She said Lesotho has recorded a 33 percent reduction in TB-related deaths, moving towards the global target of a 90 percent reduction by 2030, while TB incidence has declined by 30 percent against the target of 80 percent.
Meanwhile, British Parliamentarian and Global TB Caucus Chairperson, Mr. Nick Herbert, said the Caucus was established a decade ago to amplify the parliamentary voice in the fight against TB.
He stressed the importance of both financial resources and strong leadership in combating the disease.
“Members of Parliament have the strength and voice to encourage governments to take action in the fight against TB,” he said.
Mr. Herbert added that no one should continue to fall sick or die from TB while treatment, drugs and other tools to fight the disease are available.
The event was attended by the British High Commissioner to Lesotho, the African TB Caucus Chairperson and the World Health Organisation Representative to Lesotho, among others.
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