"Today I am able to join people from around the world in celebrating World Tuberculosis Day, thanks to the life-saving intervention of the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar," said Seif Hassan Mbarouk, a tuberculosis (TB) patient in Tanzania's Zanzibar.
DAR ES SALAAM, March 25 (Xinhua) -- "Today I am able to join people from around the world in celebrating World Tuberculosis Day, thanks to the life-saving intervention of the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar," said a beaming Seif Hassan Mbarouk, a tuberculosis (TB) patient in Tanzania's Zanzibar.
Observed annually on March 24 since 1993, World Tuberculosis Day aims to raise awareness and urgency in ending TB, the world's deadliest infectious disease.
Mbarouk, 25, was diagnosed with drug-resistant TB five months ago when his condition was already critical. The cosmetics trader's symptoms have since eased significantly, thanks to timely intervention by Chinese doctors.
Mbarouk received standardized treatment at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, the region's main public healthcare facility, where members of the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team are based. "Mnazi Mmoja" means "one coconut tree" in Swahili language.
The progress in his treatment has also restored hope among fellow patients and local health workers in battling TB, especially drug-resistant strains.
A resident of Miembeni on Unguja Island, Mbarouk recounted how his ordeal began last August.
Persistent coughing and headaches led him to seek help at a nearby health center, where he was initially diagnosed with pneumonia.
"They gave me medication for several weeks, but nothing changed," Mbarouk said. "I was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. I didn't know what was wrong with me."
Encouraged by friends, Mbarouk eventually turned to Chinese doctors at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital.
"They diagnosed me with drug-resistant tuberculosis," he said. "After five months of treatment, I feel much better."
Mbarouk urged others to act early if they notice symptoms. "Don't fear the disease. With proper medication, TB is curable," he said.
Rashid Hassan Ali, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, said TB remains prevalent in Zanzibar, affecting people of all ages, from children to the elderly.
The main challenge, he said, is late diagnosis.
"Most TB patients first seek care in remote health centers that lack experts and diagnostic equipment," said Ali, who trained in cardiothoracic surgery at Jiamusi University in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. "By the time they arrive here, their conditions are often critical."
Members of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar have stepped in to help. They treat patients and train local medical personnel to improve the diagnosis of various illnesses, including TB.
"They've introduced bronchoscopic diagnosis for respiratory complications, a technology we didn't have before," said Ali. "In fact, the first bronchoscope used in Zanzibar was brought by the Chinese doctors."
He said medical cooperation with China has significantly improved healthcare across Zanzibar's Indian Ocean islands.
Chen Wei, leader of the 34th batch of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, said Tanzania, one of the countries hardest hit by TB, has made much progress in recent years, thanks to government and international investment in TB prevention.
But challenges remain, he said.
"Case detection rates are still low. In some areas, limited medical resources prevent timely diagnosis, leading to delays in treatment or worsening of the disease," Chen said during an interview at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital.
Drug-resistant TB is another growing concern, he said, primarily caused by irregular use of antibiotics. "It complicates treatment and increases costs."
Chen also highlighted a lack of specialized diagnostic equipment and TB medications in some grassroots clinics, which affects treatment outcomes.
"Public health awareness must improve," he added. "Many people don't recognize TB symptoms or delay seeking care. Others interrupt treatment, which increases the risk of spreading the disease."
The Chinese medical team plays a vital role in TB prevention and treatment, offering clinical support and introducing advanced technologies, including precision tools for lung biopsies from China, which have boosted detection rates and improved diagnostic accuracy, Chen said.
"We're also conducting TB prevention training for local healthcare workers to enhance their skills," he said.
Beyond hospital walls, the team organizes free clinics and community health education campaigns to raise awareness and promote early detection.
Chen noted that TB treatment in Tanzania differs from that in China, where prevention systems are more mature. In China, screening, diagnosis and treatment are well-integrated and supported by national health insurance.
"Over the past year, I've seen firsthand the challenges posed by unequal access to medical resources and the vital role of healthcare in global development," he said. "It's deepened my appreciation for China's healthcare system and strengthened my commitment to serving people as a physician."
According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, Tanzania's TB incidence rate has fallen 40 percent, from 306 cases per 100,000 people in 2015 to 183 in 2023. TB-related deaths, including HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, have dropped by 68 percent, from 58,000 in 2015 to 18,400 in 2023.
This places Tanzania among three high-burden TB countries on track to meet the 2025 milestone of a 50 percent reduction in incidence and one of 13 countries projected to achieve a 75 percent reduction in TB deaths.
The theme of this year's campaign is "Yes, We Can End TB - Commit, Invest, Deliver."
The WHO calls for renewed global efforts to eradicate the disease, urging governments to invest in strengthening healthcare systems to expand TB services, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Measures include infection control, contact tracing, broader screening and early diagnosis, effective treatment, and psychosocial and nutritional support, focusing on protecting vulnerable groups. ■