The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched a TB mass screening campaign, targeting high-risk areas in the Tsumkwe constituency.

The campaign, which started on Monday, will run until the 25th of April.

The Tsumkwe area within the Grootfontein district remains the epicentre of drug-resistant tuberculosis in the country.

The objective of the campaign is to enhance early detection, improve case management and reduce transmission within affected communities.

Olichen !Haradoes, the special programme coordinator of the ministry of health, encouraged residents to turn up for the screening.

"Let's go and dig out all those cases. Why are we getting most of the TB cases from Tsumkwe? Let's go to Tsumkwe, and then we'll go do a campaign. We'll go into the community, and we'll mobile screen them and ask questions about TB. If they have signs and symptoms, they have to submit sputum, she said.

The team is accompanied by doctors for the two weeks. Apart from TB screening, community members can consult doctors regarding other medical problems.

The campaign also aims to educate residents about prevention and the importance of completing TB treatment to avoid becoming drug-resistant.

Cwi Coma, who went through the TB screening, speaks about his experience of the process and his feelings towards the campaign.

"I came for screening because I had flu symptoms. The process was very quick, and I'm happy about this campaign because it gives us an opportunity to know more about our health," he said.

G|ao Dahm is one who has completed his TB treatment.

He is encouraging others to actively take part in the campaign.

"I am happy to say I have completed my TB treatment, and I am now TB-free. I urge my fellow residents to follow nurses' instructions and complete their treatment. This campaign is very important, and I encourage everyone to come forward for screening," he noted.

All the residents in Tsumkwe are urged to take advantage of the free screening services as the campaign continues across the constituency.