The Community Health Promotion Fund (CHPF), in collaboration with the North Coast Medical Training College and the Kilifi South Sub-County Ministry of Health, recently conducted a targeted Tuberculosis (TB) sensitization and capacity-building session for community health teams and medical students. The initiative was implemented in response to a documented increase in TB cases within the sub-county and aligns with national TB control priorities and global End TB Strategy objectives.
Tuberculosis continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Kilifi South, particularly in underserved communities where delayed diagnosis and limited awareness contribute to ongoing transmission. This intervention was therefore designed as a preparedness mechanism to strengthen frontline health system capacity through workforce sensitization.
The session provided participants with comprehensive technical knowledge on TB epidemiology, modes of transmission, clinical presentation, and diagnostic pathways, with a strong emphasis on early case detection and prompt referral. Participants were also trained on infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, community-based screening approaches, and the importance of treatment adherence to reduce morbidity, mortality, and drug resistance.
“Strengthening the knowledge and skills of frontline health workers is essential in reversing the rising trend of TB cases,” noted Ms. Munira, the Sub-County TB and Leprosy Coordinator. “When community health teams are well informed, they are better positioned to identify presumptive TB cases early and ensure timely linkage to care.”
The sensitization further underscored the strategic role of the primary healthcare workforce as a bridge between the health system and the community. Medical students and community health providers were equipped to serve as TB champions, supporting community education, stigma reduction, contact tracing, and patient follow-up at the household level.
According to Ms. Charity Kule, the Sub-County School Health and Community HIV Coordinator, “Integrating TB awareness within community and school health platforms strengthens prevention efforts and improves health-seeking behavior. This approach supports a more sustainable and people-centered response to TB control.”
In line with its mandate to promote equitable access to quality health services, CHPF will continue working with government and training institutions to scale up community engagement, awareness campaigns, and service delivery interventions aimed at ending TB. These efforts directly contribute to improved health outcomes, stronger health systems, and progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Through multi-sectoral collaboration and donor-supported investments in workforce capacity, this initiative demonstrates a scalable model for TB prevention and control in high-burden settings, reinforcing collective commitment toward a TB-free future in Kilifi South.
