Addressing the Tuberculosis Burden Among Miners in Migori

Artisans and small-scale miners in Migori are urged to use protective gear to combat Tuberculosis (TB), which accounts for 10% of health cases in the area. Stakeholders advocate for improved working conditions, health awareness, and routine TB screenings. Efforts focus on reducing stigma and improving miners’ adherence to treatment to decrease the TB burden.

Artisans and small-scale miners in Migori have been urged to utilize protective gear to reduce the risk of Tuberculosis (TB). This message was emphasized by Mable Chanzu, Migori’s Chief Officer responsible for Public Health and Sanitation, during a recent workshop that convened various health and mining stakeholders in Migori town. Chanzu stated that efforts will be made to improve working conditions and implement TB prevention strategies.

According to Chanzu, miners in the region account for 10 percent of TB cases and related lung diseases, a situation that necessitates urgent intervention. In 2024 alone, there were 191 reported TB cases linked to miners, which forms a significant portion of the over 2,000 TB cases documented in Migori County. Stakeholders aim to advocate for the health and welfare of miners suffering from TB and lung ailments and to enhance routine screenings at mining sites.

Most miners rely on mining for their livelihoods; therefore, it is crucial to conduct these activities in a manner that safeguards against respiratory illnesses, such as TB. Chanzu highlighted low health-seeking behavior among miners as a factor contributing to the increasing TB prevalence. She noted that stigma around seeking TB screening, especially the association with HIV/AIDS, deters miners from obtaining necessary health services, exacerbating the issue.

Chanzu further encouraged miners currently on medication to adhere strictly to their treatment regimens for optimal recovery. “We will continue to advocate and do health campaigns in the mining sites to ensure our miners are screened and put on medication to reduce the TB cases in the county,” she asserted. She also called on miners’ union leaders to initiate self-awareness campaigns aimed at addressing the TB crisis.

County clinician Washington Ocharo emphasized the need for outreach programs in mining areas to help identify TB cases through thorough screenings. Ocharo urged union officials to facilitate cooperation in identifying sick miners and ensuring timely treatment for those who default on their medication.

Victor Otieno, representing the Miners Association in Migori, identified insufficient protective equipment as a primary cause of the rising TB and lung disease rates among miners. He underscored the importance of regular inspections and screenings by health officials to mitigate the TB threat in mining communities. The workshop, organized by the Impact Research and Development Organization (IRDO), underscored the vital roles of mining unions and community health actors in addressing TB in these sites.

This article underscores the pressing issue of Tuberculosis among miners in Migori, highlighting the need for protective gear, improved working conditions, and greater health awareness. Stakeholders are advocating for better health practices and routine screenings to combat TB prevalence. The collaborative efforts among health officials, miners’ unions, and NGOs are pivotal in addressing this public health concern, with emphasis on reducing stigma and enhancing treatment adherence among affected individuals.

Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke