Increased political good will for TB control in Kenya
Political commitment is a key factor for national policy development and implementation in any country. TB stakeholders have for decades engaged in advocacy for increased political commitment at the national level. The efforts have started showing fruits.
Indicators for political commitment in health can be measured by the presence and involvement of political leaders in health related decision making processes. Political Presence reflects Political commitment through two main areas: mobilizing domestic financing and more effective consideration of TB in policy making and legislation .These are very key components in the fight against TB.
Stop TB partnership has one of its mandate to increase political commitment in TB interventions. As such the organization hosts the secretariat for the National and African TB Parliamentary caucuses. The caucus is a movement of Parliamentarians who have come together to strategize on ending TB in Kenya and in the African region respectively.
The World TB day held on 24th March 2016 was an opportunity that demonstrated the increased political commitment by political leaders. The event hosted the largest gathering of the leaders in a TB related event. The event dubbed MULIKA TB MALIZA TB (Search for TB and finish it) was attended by seven MPs (three from outside Kenya and four from Kenya). The speaker of the National Assembly was also represented by one of the MPs. The deputy Governor of Nairobi also graced the event. The Kenyan leaders committed to advocate for increased allocation of resources and influence formulation and implement of appropriate policies that would lead to ending TB in Kenya.
Stop TB Partnership-Kenya would like to recognize all the honorable members of Parliament led by Honorable Stephen Mule for their commitment towards TB control. We are more than grateful to have you on board and we appreciate every effort either through ensuring domestic financing or in law making that will aid in ending TB by 2030.
We look forward to more engagement with the MPs in 2017!
