Every year World TB Day is commemorated with a different theme. The theme for 2009 is “ I AM STOPPING TB”.  TB is a public health threat to all of us and the fight against Tuberculosis demands that every Namibian makes an effort to make a difference. This year the national event was hosted by the Khomas Region.

As the recognized partner of the Ministry of Health and Social Services in the Khomas Region, Penduka TB Programme carried out a series of activities to mark World TB Day. Here are some of the activities undertaken:  

• IEC Dissemination Truck:  drove from Katutura, along Independence Avenue to Zoo Park, and then set up a Direct Observed Treatment point in Zoo Park
• IEC materials were distributed at the Information point in Zoo Park, and in and around the city.
• Morning peak hour IEC material Dissemination at Traffic Lights on 23^rd March: we targeted the main traffic lights to town (Independence Avenue and Hosea Kutako Drive junction) where a total of 3500 IEC materials were handed out by 14 Penduka staff.
• The main message was to promote CB-DOT and encourage the community to support TB patients.
• School campaign: we covered 12 primary and secondary schools in the Katutura where we did a short TB presentation before classes started.
• Company/Work Place Awareness: we covered Telecom Namibia, Namibia Breweries and Pupkewitz on the basic facts, signs and symptoms and the importance of treatment adherence
• Participation on NBC TV’s Good Morning Namibia programme to inform people about the activities taking place on World TB da.
• Penduka Hospitality,  Finance, and Production staff participated in the World TB Day activities.

The main event kicked off on March 24th with a march from Katutura Central Shops through Independence Avenue to UN PLAZA.  The march was spearheaded by NAMPOL Brass Band, NDF, Health promoters, TCE, WISE Youth club, pupils from St. Barnabas Primary School, PPS, Penduka Staff, TB Patients, student nurses from the National Health training centre and members of the public. All came in big numbers and it made the march very effective.  The march took place with the assistance of the City of Windhoek Traffic Officers.

On arrival at UN Plaza, Hon. Health Miinister, Dr. Richard Kamwi, delivered the key note speech.  In his speech he stressed that TB is one of the major public health threats, both globally and nationally.  He warned that the management of MDR and XDR patients is still a challenge that we need to overcome. The Penduka TB Manager also gave a speech.

The event was attended by a number of dignatries including the following: Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Kamwi, Hon. Khomas Regional Governor, Sofia Shaningwa, H.E US Ambassador to Namibia Ms Gail Dennise Mathieu, Deputy Minister of Health Hon. Ms. Petrina Haingura, WHO country representative Dr Magda Robalo,  A senior Old Mutual representative Mr.Nghikembwa, Director of Khomas Region, Dr. T. Ithindi Shipanga and  Brig. Gen. Dr.S. Ndeitunga, Penduka TB Programme Manager Mr. Rudolph Tjaveondja and Penduka Development Trust Board Member Ms Martha Muulyau.

A VCT Corner was there to encourage the community to go for HIV testing and to know their status. A total of 89 people were tested.  The public were entertained by local musicians, WYC cultural group, Jan Jonker Secondary School choir, and the drama group from Penduka.