On March 24, 2011 celebrations were held at Iwala, a rural district of Mbeya, about 50 km away from Mbeya town centre. MMRP staff (REMox TB and Community Engagement staff), together with CAB members participated at the district-level event. Representatives wore T-shirts printed with this year’s World TB Day theme, and the Remox TB and MMRP logos. Also participating in the event were regional and district-level health staff, teachers, students, traditional chiefs, religious leaders, community members, and local artists.
Several speeches were given on the basics of TB disease (transmission, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, etc). Songs and poems about TB prevention and the importance of early treatment were prepared and performed by students and other drama groups.
MMRP discussed the status and goals of the REMox TB trial. Community members were very excited by the news and guests of appreciated MMRP's efforts to fight TB.
We distributed REMox TB brochures, posters as well as khangas and vitenges printed with “STOP TB” (these are local dressings usually worn on public festivals). This was all done with large assistance from the Mbeya rural district, together with whom we organized the event.
Community members were happy to learn about the REMox TB trial and promised to cooperate with MMRP whenever necessary.