Because AIDS weakens the immune system, leaving it vulnerable to other viral diseases, the high prevalence of HIV in Namibia (one in 5 people) has had a profound impact on the spread of tuberculosis. More than 15,000 people were diagnosed with TB in 2006 alone, putting Namibia second in the world for new TB cases in proportion to its population. Again, the national response has been to mobilize volunteers and train community members. Through community based initiatives, more people are getting involved and helping their friends and neighbors recover from TB by supervising them as they take their medicine and assisting them to eat regular meals.

TB drugs are very strong and cannot be taken on an empty stomach. As a lot of people cannot afford to eat correctly, many would stop their treatment. This led Epako volunteers in Gobabis, close to the border with Botswana, to buy chickens and form a small farm providing free food to TB patients. Eggs are distributed to people living with TB, including settled Bushmen. Volunteers, who are generally family members, also supervise and record their medication intake for six to eight months to avoid having patients stop their treatment when symptoms disappear which would result in drug resistance or death. Learn more.

Over the past five years, Namibia has recorded encouraging progress against TB. Thanks to initiatives such as Epako, which have been expanded into five of Namibia's 13 regions, the number of deaths from TB has been reduced by one third. In the eastern region of Omeheke, empty hospital beds in TB wards are now common and help to reduce health expenditures. Patients defaulting TB treatment have gone from 51% to almost 0% and the cure rate is at 89%. The government has committed to eradicate TB by 2015. Learn more.

At home and in the workplace, Namibians are supporting each other in the fight against disease. The national health plan stimulates participation by all members of the community so locals take the initiative to care for their own. With each others' help, AIDS can be prevented or lived with and TB can be beaten.