Question NW4627 to the Minister of Health
23 December 2022 - NW4627
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
(1) Whether, given that adolescents are more likely than youth and adults to stop taking their tuberculosis (TB) medication before the end of their regimen, his department has a TB treatment programme specifically geared towards the needs of teenagers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the specified programme; (2) whether his department has conducted research into adjusting TB treatment programmes for teenagers; if not, why not; if so, what are the findings of the research; (3) whether he will furnish Ms H Ismail with the findings of the research; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5749E
Reply:
The department has no evidence that adolescents are more likely to stop TB treatment compared to youth and adults. Given that this speculation is not backed by any scientific evidence, the department does not have specific programmes that are focused at preventing TB treatment interruption among adolescents, instead, the National TB Programme, through TB recovery plan, is aimed at essentially finding people with TB, linking them to care and retaining them in care until they finish their treatment, irrespective of age.
(1) Considering data at our disposal, there is no justification for such a programme, as we have a comprehensive programme.
(2) There are no research findings to share with Ms. H Ismail, because no research has been conducted by the National Department of health regarding prevention of treatment interruption among adolescents. END.