CELEBRATING A HEROINE

Stop TB Partnership – Kenya and the TB fraternity is mourning the death of Luceta Gatiba, a passionate and devoted TB advocate in Kenya. Luceta died in the early morning of World TB day at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Luceta, a teacher from Meru, struggled with Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDRTB) since 2004 when there was limited access to MDRTB drugs. Despite the challenges, she soldiered on and got cured in 2008 but the bout left her with weakened lungs which affected her breathing.

On the 23rd March, Luceta traveled from her home to get a briefing in readiness for her participation at the world TB day event that was to be held the next day. Unfortunately, she suffered a bout labored breathing on her way to the briefing meeting. She was to be a speaker in a panel of TB champions during the National commemorations for world TB day. She collapsed and was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital. Luceta passed on a few hours later due to complications arising from her earlier experience with MDRTB.

She will be remembered for her spirited fight against MDRTB and her call for social protection for MDRTB patients during and post treatment. Her last public event was at a sensitization forum of the new shorter regimen for MDRTB where she appreciated the efforts of researchers for developing a nine months’ regimen with fewer injections. She had called for even more research to shorten the treatment even further.

Lucetta Gatiba speaking during the MDRTB shorter term regimen sensitization workshop in Nairobi.

Rest in peace Luceta. We shall keep up your fight.