Decentralisation of Multi-Drug Resistant  ( MDR) TB treatment centres is one of the efficient ways of dealing with drug resistant Tuberculosis (T.B), according to preliminary findings of a research by the University of Zambia  ( UNZA).

The research conducted in partnership with Ministry of Health with funding from  Global Fund says the decentralization of service provision to  Multi-Drug Resistant T.B patients has led to significant treatment and reduction in death rate.

The research findings which were presented to stakeholders in Solwezi district today, revealed that in 2019, Zambia recorded  333 T.B cases per 100,000 and was ranked number twenty one out of thirty high burden countries. 

It highlights that despite Zambia having this disease burden, the country only had two treatment centres in Ndola and Lusaka for the whole country.

It further states that from the time treatment of MDR T.B was decentralized to facility level, it has led to the removal  of  high costs on both government and patients.

The report adds that more facility health  staff have been trained from both private and government institutions leading to efficiency in service provision.

The research also indicates that health facilities are attending to few patients reducing on congestion as the service can be accessed in a lot of facilities.

However, the report also indicates that there is a reduction in the number of cases of delayed diagnosis, treatment initiation and poor adherence.