Health Education

Health education is provided to patients and the general public on a weekly basis to raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of TB.  These talks have helped to change negative attitudes towards TB and stigma attached to it. 

Every Thursday, TASS holds health talks at the Centre in which patients are given tips on what TB is all about, how it is spread, diagnosed, treated and why, for example, they must pay attention to drug prescription regime, seek treatment as well the consequences of not doing so. The patients are also taken through notes on the importance of compliance of treatment and its impact on treatment outcome. Other topics included nutrition and the relationship of TB with HIV/AIDs.

The sessions are open and free and encourage feedback from patients. These efforts have successfully led to the number of patients defaulting on the DOTS course dropping significantly over the year. Patients are positive and welcome measures practised to ensure they adhere to the treatment programme.

Internship at Mercy TB Centre

Mercy TB centre offers on-the job training opportunities to nurses from the Somali Nursing Institute.  They gain immense skills like proper case detection, management and reporting of TB that prepares them adequately for the challenges envisaged in the work environment proper.

Nurses who participate in three month internship at the Mercy TB Centre are supervised by the Centre's director. A progress report detailing individual performance is prepared for each of them and availed to the Institute.  The trainee nurses assist the staff at the Centre while also giving palliative care and support to patients during their three month practical.

The internships not only offer invaluable practical experience of working in a medical institute but also open a window of opportunity for trained medical professionals to apply for work.  In 2009, 24 students from Bosaso Health Institute were trained to work in the Mercy TB Centre.