We have our Manyattas back!

“…Isiolo TB Manyatta disputed change of user name has been amicably resolved, and the patients will keep the facility as both a diagnostic and treatment center, "reported the Isiolo county executive and county assembly. This great news comes weeks after intensive advocacy led by the Stop TB Partnership- Kenya and the larger civil society who had been disgruntled by the intentions of the Isiolo County assembly to convert the Manyattas to a county offices.

The CSOs took the lead in advocating for revocation of the move by the county government. Joined by TB patients from Isiolo County who had been receiving services from the Manyattas, CSOs engaged media to decry this unfortunate move. Over 300 TB and 17 Multi-drug- Resistant TB patients had been receiving treatment from the TB treatment facility at that time. It was a concern for many individuals and human rights groups that this action would pose a significant risk to the patients who need specialized treatment and care.

“ I am really happy that the County Government of Isiolo has realized the significance of preserving the facility to offer TB services to the community. I applaud them for their understanding and consideration. This is not the time to take away TB resources. It is the time to consolidate what we have. We are in the race to end TB by 2030 in Kenya.” Said Evaline Kibuchi the Chief Coordinator, Stop TB Partnership. Plans are underway to have an event to mark this success, which will include an uplift of the current state of the TB manyattas as well as a way of restoring the trust of the TB patients and overall community sensitization on Tuberculosis.

The link below gives the story: https://stoptbkenya.org/en/2016/08/08/advocacyforprotectionoftbresources-isiolomanyattas/ By Mercy Karumba