As Zimbabwe strives to combat tuberculosis (TB), a persistent and often deadly bacterial infection, a significant barrier looms: stigma.
This social shadow not only hinders diagnosis and treatment but also threatens the lives of countless individuals, especially those living with TB.
Chairman of the Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe and a resilient survivor of drug-resistant TB, Ronald Rungoyi underscored the dire consequences of discrimination.
“Discrimination remains one of the major reasons why TB patients default treatment and end up dying,” he said
His own experience resonates deeply; while he found solace among friends and family, he faced grave stigma within healthcare settings.
“I experienced stigma at the health institution not anywhere else,” he recalls. “That is why it is important to have institutions, especially DRTB and TB institutions manned by someone who is experienced.”
This narrative of internal struggle against self-stigma and external discrimination is echoed by health officials.
Dr. Fungai Kavenga, acting deputy director of AIDS and TB programmes in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, outlines the government’s ambitious goals to reduce TB incidence and mortality by 80% by 2030.
“In 2015, 40 people per 100,000 died from TB; in 2022, we had 14 per 100,000,” he said, highlighting progress but also the work still needed.
To tackle this issue head-on, Zimbabwe will embark on a tuberculosis stigma index study, aiming to quantify the stigma surrounding TB and identify vulnerable populations.
The Jointed Hands Welfare Organisation (JHWO) will lead this crucial initiative. Dr. Donald Tobaiwa, JHWO’s executive director, underscores the importance of this research.
“We want to get to know their numbers,” he says, referring to key populations such as children, cross-border traders, and prisoners.
The upcoming stigma index study seeks to illuminate the complex dynamics of TB stigma—whether structural, self-inflicted, or perceived.
“We intend to do a deep dive TB stigma index to understand the extent to which TB stigma manifests in different people,” Dr. Tobaiwa explains.
This comprehensive approach is vital for tailoring interventions that resonate with the communities most affected.
Notably, the stigma index will be conducted similarly to the HIV stigma index, which has seen rising figures—from 65.5% in 2014 to 69.7% in 2022—indicating persistent challenges in the fight against HIV.
This mirrored approach could reveal similar patterns for TB, demonstrating how stigma complicates prevention and treatment efforts.
As Zimbabwe navigates its high TB burden, the need for targeted interventions becomes increasingly evident.
“Once we then know where the burden is, it’s easy to eradicate TB,” Dr. Tobaiwa asserts.
By identifying the most affected communities, the government and health organizations can focus their efforts where they are needed most.
With TB remaining a substantial public health concern, the upcoming studies represent a beacon of hope.
They aim not only to reduce stigma but also to enhance the overall response to TB in a country still grappling with the dual challenges of TB and HIV.
By confronting stigma head-on, Zimbabwe can pave the way for a future where every TB patient receives the care and support they deserve—free from discrimination and fear.
