A total of 117 tuberculosis cases were diagnosed in Gatundu North in 2015, the sub county health and environment director Beatrice Mueni has said.
Mueni noted that out of the diagnosed cases, only 19 patients defaulted their treatment but health workers are pursuing them to ensure they complete their treatment.
Speaking in Kamwangi on Sunday during a public baraza, Mueni said her department has established seven centres where TB can be diagnosed and another two for treatment across the sub county.
“Most of the patients we diagnosed with TB come from Makwa, Mariaini, King’ong’o, Chania, Kiang’ombe slums and Kanjuku which were most affected by use of poisonous liquor last year,” she revealed.
She attributed the high cases of the disease in the slums to congestion, poor housing and lack of hygiene.
Mueni observed that the Kiang’ombe slum in Gituamba ward and Makwa are notorious for chang’aa brewing and consumption, adding that most of the patients drink illicit brews and forget to take their medication.
Mueni urged residents of Gatundu North to be hygiene cautious and always apply doctor-recommended hygiene conditions.
“We all need to be involved if we are to wipe out this disease. Kindly observe hygiene at all level as mostly recommended by doctor, drink boiled-clean water and eat healthy food,” she told residents.