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🇹🇿 Tanzania /Health & Science

Kibong’oto cures 75% of patients with drug-resistant TB

From Mwananchi · () Swahili

Translated from Swahili and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Tanzania’s Infectious Diseases Institute in Kilimanjaro treats 70 to 100 drug-resistant TB patients each year, with 75% reportedly making a full recovery.
  • Director Leonard Subi said the rate exceeds the World Health Organization benchmark of 63%.
  • The institute also treats patients affected by mining-related silica dust exposure and has expanded its diagnostic and treatment technology.

The Tanzania Infectious Diseases Institute, formerly known as Kibong’oto National Infectious Diseases Hospital, says three-quarters of its drug-resistant tuberculosis patients recover fully.

The institute in Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region, receives between 70 and 100 patients with drug-resistant TB each year. Its director, Dr Leonard Subi, said on September 4 that 75% recover, compared with a World Health Organization benchmark of 63%.

Subi said the institute treats more than 22,000 patients annually for various illnesses. Many of its drug-resistant TB patients arrive after treatment has failed at regional hospitals and are referred for specialist care. The institute keeps them for six months, providing the services they need throughout treatment. About 57 patients currently require oxygen.

“TB patients arrive exhausted and in poor health, but the treatment we provide helps strengthen them, and many recover completely,” Subi said.

The institute also treats people affected by mining activities. Subi said some miners inhale silica dust when health and safety rules are not followed, increasing the risk of silicosis, a lung disease. He said Kibong’oto has made major progress in using modern technology to diagnose and treat tuberculosis, reducing the time needed to receive test results.

TB patients arrive exhausted and in poor health, but the treatment we provide helps strengthen them, and many recover completely.

· Dr Leonard SubiThe institute’s director described the condition of patients arriving for specialist drug-resistant TB treatment.
About this summary

Originally published by Mwananchi in Swahili. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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