By BAKANG MOKOTO
11 February 2025- The North West Department of Health in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District said it would like to encourage members of the community to visit their nearest health facility as soon as they experience any symptoms of any ailment. The department said early presentation of conditions helps health professionals to better manage, control and treat different illnesses before escalation to severe complications.
The Chief Director of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Health Services, Philemon Maboe said, many diseases/ailments are better managed, if the patient seeks immediate attention in the wake of symptoms without any hesitation. Maboe further said diseases like Tuberculosis (TB) are better managed and treated earlier before escalating to difficulties and managing forms like multi-drug resistant (MDR)/extreme drug-resistant (XDR) TB.
“Many of the health complications that we treat at secondary and tertiary levels of care, are cases of late presentation that could have been managed at primary healthcare level had the patients come to us as soon as they experienced symptoms.
“The concern applies to patients of all categories from pregnant women, infants to the elderly. Communities in the district are encouraged to do regular health screenings and tests to mitigate against complications of late presentation should there be concerning signs that need immediate attention,” he said.
The Guardian 