Source : Climate Advocacy For Southern Africa
World TB Day
THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE EMERGENCE OF TB DEADLY RAMPAGE.
L
esotho has one of the world's highest rates of tuberculosis. TB - also known as CONSUMPTION( this is because it waste/ feeds on the body of the sufferer). The sky rocketing high numbers reveal that for every 100 000 Basotho; there are 661 incidents of TB cases. Dr Llang Maama stated, " TB and HIV/AIDS are exacerbated by weak immune system, the greatest advantage is that, TB can be remedied hence there is a need for regular screening. In the presence of climate change, producing nutritive foods faces unpredictable weather conditions, and that compromises the ability to produce foods that support the resilience of our immune system.
THE SYMPTOMS OF TB
Bad cough - more than 2 weeks
Chest pain
Coughing up blood/ phlegm
People who are diagnosed with TB gets treatment which last from 3-6 months; the reason behind this long period is that,TB is a slow growing bacteria which takes a longer time to replicates another bacteria therefore, it takes a longer time to treat adequately.
The rate at which new cases increased is alarming, however, Ministry of Health has actively engaged in community sensitization as one of the interventions. While Climate Change Advocacy for Lesotho agrees with community sensitization, It is a wasted effort unless TB affected areas receive adequate basic services (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) such as;
Waste disposal equipmentments and sewage treatment.
Clean water.
Subsidy and financial support of clean energy businesses.
Regulation of quarry mining in communities and provision of proper platforms for community-based Environmental Impact Assessment of quarries.
The suggested interventions will not only contribute in alleviating the increasing rates of TB cases but they contribute to Climate Change adaptation( people will no longer drink open source water from wells while there is provision of good quality drinking water).
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