20 March 2002 --The World Health Organization to-day handed over approximately 15 tons of life-saving tuberculosis ( TB ) drugs to the Republic of Kenya. These drugs worth over $ 200,000 US ( Kshs. 16,785,852.72 ) have been made available through a global partnership initiative, the Global Drug Facility (GDF) that was started early last year.

The WHO Representative to Kenya, Dr. Peter Eriki who spoke at the handing over ceremony, commended Kenya for being among the first 16 countries to qualify for this support from the Global Drug Facility.

He lamented that globally TB claims approximately 2 million lives annually, and yet it can be cured, lives saved and savings made on financial and other supplies.

Dr. Eriki gladly noted that Kenya's proposal to GDF was well done in consultation with partners including WHO.

Although Kenya is one of the 22 "high TB burden" countries that account for 80% of the Global TB disease, it is a pioneer in implementing a well-organized and run TB Programme countrywide using DOTS ( Directly Observed Treatment: Short-Course)strategy. He however deplored the increasing number of new TB cases in Kenya, probably attributed in most part to HIV/AIDS. Available data indicates an increase from about 12,000 cases in 1990 to over 70,000 cases in 2001, with approximately 20% annual increase.

WHO lauded the Government of Kenya's commitment to procuring over 50% of all TB drugs for years 2001 and 2002. Secondly, the Ministry of Health had worked out strategies to ensure that TB drugs continued to be provided free of charge in public health facilities. Currently, WHO is collaborating with the Ministry of Health, to develop practical guidelines on National TB Programme-Private Sector Collaboration to facilitate access to free TB drugs in private facilities.

We believe that drugs supplied through the Global TB Drug Facility will assure an uninterrupted supply of high-quality drugs for DOTS expansion. TB drug contributions from the Global Drug Facility provide the type of interventions which we know will have an impact on diseases of poverty, tuberculosis being one of them.

The WHO Representative underscored the importance of investing in health through such an initiative, as prevention and control of TB saves lives and improves various sectors geared towards national development. He commended Kenya for reaching out to support poverty alleviation strategies, among which is the application for assistance from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM).

Receiving the drugs, the Minister for Medical Services Hon. Hussein Maalim Mohamed noted with concern that the bulk of TB patients remained undetected,which would fuel the burden of TB in the country. The Minister pointed out the need to strengthen laboratory diagnostic services, and capacity building of health workers in the field of tuberculosis management.

The Minister appreciated the support received from various partners since the inception of the TB Programme,and especially now when HIV/AIDS seems to undermine the achievements made in the last decade.

He called upon all Kenyans to help the Government fight the TB epidemics, by creating awareness that TB was treatable and curable, and taking advantage of of the provisions the Government had put in place. He also urged Kenyans to participate in World TB Day Celebrations on 24 March 2002, both at national and provincial levels.

The handing over ceremony was attended by a large crowd of people. Also present was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Prof. Julius Meme, and Director of Medical Services, Dr. Richard Muga. Both print and electronic media attended and covered the event.