Zimbabwe To Introduce Drug Isoniazid To Prevent TB Cases Among HIV-Positive People, Health Minister Says

Main Category: Tuberculosis
Also Included In: HIV / AIDS;  Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 11 Jul 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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Zimbabwe's Health and Child Welfare Minister David Parirenyatwa on Monday announced that the government soon will introduce the antibiotic isoniazid in an effort to prevent HIV-positive people from developing tuberculosis, The Herald/AllAfrica.com reports. "We are very worried about coinfection, a situation where HIV and AIDS patients are infected with other diseases, and tuberculosis in particular, given its devastating effects on them," Parirenyatwa said. About 70% of people with TB in Zimbabwe also are living with HIV, according to The Herald/AllAfrica.com.

Health workers in the country will be trained on isoniazid use, after which the drug will be rolled out nationwide. According to Parirenyatwa, Zimbabwe also will implement a policy framework for the drug, which is approved by the World Health Organization. Parirenyatwa added that the country recently has been focusing on HIV/AIDS while overlooking other diseases, including TB and malaria (The Herald/AllAfrica.com, 7/8).

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