My name is Beulah Sango; I am a trained TB/PMTCT Champion, from Ward 4, Zvishavane Urban. I make follow-ups in the community, one of them being Multi Drug Resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) programme. I work hand in hand with the clinic and the Zvishavane District hospital. By so doing, I am able to track patients who have ceased collecting their medication.

I talk to them emphasizing the importance of adherence as well as explaining to them the risks of getting HIV, in other words I explain the relationship between HIV and TB. I have discovered that some patients are brought in from their rural areas by their relatives to receive the necessary tests and treatment from the hospital. When they return to their original home areas, efforts are made link them with clinics in their home areas.

The other issue of concern is that most of those patients cannot afford a decent meal per day. In such cases I provide them with information on balanced diets using locally available food, such as vegetables with peanut butter, dried vegetables and pumpkins. I also urge them to desist from using traditional herbs or any kind of herb in trying to cure TB. I also encourage them to join social clubs or support groups so that they can receive support from their peers.