Participants attending Tuberculosis (TB) training have been told that Infection Control is key in healthcare facilities if the spread of infectious diseases is to be curbed.

The Deputy Chief Nurse at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mrs. Jane Nyariki, called on the participants to play a pivotal role in advocacy-through continuous health education, so as to alleviate the issue.

Mrs. Nyariki was addressing some 40 participants among them Clinical Officers, Nurses, Nutritionists and Laboratory technicians.

She said that routine activities like maximizing natural ventilation [opening windows] and isolation of patients with active TB will help a great deal in combating the threat posed by TB.

“I am encouraged that MTRH is actively participating in national policy formulation and more especially in Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) and chronic illnesses. This is commendable; however, infection control ought to be included in curriculum of all health training institutions in the country,” she said.

Mrs. Nyariki said that a survey conducted in 2002 among 22 high-burden countries- Kenya, included agreed that governments’ should train more staff in TB management, give political support, provide adequate infrastructure as well as providing adequate protective gear.

Reports from the TB Clinic at MTRH indicate an 85 per cent cure rate for Direct Observed Treatment (DOT) which is within the margins set by the Government of Kenya

The day-long event was held on May 3^rd, 2012 at the Riley Mother and Baby Hospital’s Boardroom.