Turkana county introduces TB screening at pediatric, nutrition centres

The Turkana County Health Department has initiated tuberculosis (TB) screening at paediatric centres and nutrition clinics in areas with high malnutrition rates to safeguard vulnerable children.

This move comes as part of a broader effort to address the intersection of malnutrition and TB, with Turkana treated as a hotspot, largely due to persistent drought, which worsens food insecurity.

Tens of nutritionists and nurses across 40 healthcare facilities in the Lake Zone, identified as a malnutrition hotspot, were trained in TB diagnosis and reporting, thanks to a partnership with USAID Nawiri.

County Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Lung Diseases Coordinator Job Okemwa, termed TB screening for malnourished children as crucial in active case finding.

"Identifying signs and symptoms, investigating them, and providing requisite treatment will help in reducing the burden of TB among the children," Okemwa said.

TB continues to be a leading cause of death in children, with reports indicating that up to 65 per cent of paediatric TB cases in Kenya are potentially missed each year.

Data from the 2024 SMART survey reveals that Turkana County has a TB prevalence rate of 345 per 100,000 people and a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate of 21.75 per cent, which the World Health Organisation classifies as an emergency.

In contrast, the WHO defines acceptable malnutrition severity as having a prevalence rate below 5 per cent. Turkana's GAM rate, significantly higher than this threshold, highlights the severity of the region’s food insecurity and its impact on health.

Additionally, last year, Turkana recorded 342 paediatric TB cases among children aged 0–14, representing 29 per cent of the region's total TB cases. This figure underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address both malnutrition and tuberculosis.

Hellen Okochil, USAID Nawiri Health and Nutrition Advisor, highlighted that the screening programme will ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, noting that some TB patients are also malnourished.

Saada Lokoyon, County Director of Nutrition and Dietetics, added that the initiative will be expanded countywide.

Malnutrition weakens the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.

During the recent drought, the county was listed in the red zone, with local communities relying on wild fruits and nutritional supplements to cope with hunger and support malnourished children.