Paradizo TB Patients Trust says community mobilization is key in the fight against tuberculosis.
According to Harriet Kakhobwe, Public Relations Officer at Paradizo TB Patients Trust, “We conduct outreaches where our volunteers, who are TB survivors, go into different areas and disseminate information about TB to targeted populations.”
According to Kakhobwe, the trust’s community mobilization efforts are making a real difference in the lives of TB patients and their families.
“Volunteers conduct health talks in health facilities and communities, targeting vulnerable key populations and disseminating information about TB. The trust measures the success of its community mobilization efforts by tracking the number of information sessions and people reached, and disaggregates data by vulnerability and gender to ensure that its efforts are tailored to the specific needs of different populations,” She said.
Community leaders play a vital role in the trust’s community mobilization efforts. “We engage them through meetings and involve them in our activities,” says Harriet. “They help us to influence people’s attitudes and behaviors, and they can even intervene in cases where patients are refusing to go to the hospital.”
Looking to the future, Paradizo TB Patients Trust has plans to scale up its community mobilization strategies. Starting from 2026, the trust plans to conduct capacity building for its volunteers, including new volunteers who have joined the organization.
Kakhobwe added that this will enable the trust to reach larger communities with full information about TB. The trust is also planning to adopt a door-to-door approach, taking its message directly to the people.
Through its community mobilization efforts, Paradizo TB Patients Trust is empowering communities to take control of their health and well-being.
With the support of community leaders and the trust’s dedicated volunteers, the organization is making a real difference in the lives of TB patients and their families.
As Harriet says, “We are committed to making a difference in the lives of TB patients, and we will continue to work tirelessly to achieve our mission.”
