09/01/2026
For more than 17 years, Melody Mukundwi has worked to ensure that people affected by tuberculosis (TB) are not just recipients of care, but active participants shaping how prevention is delivered. In her role at the Jointed Hands Welfare Organisation in Harare, Zimbabwe, she has helped put communities at the centre of the national TB response through the Unitaid-funded IMPAACT4TB project.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗕 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
Communities were traditionally seen as passive recipients of care, with little to no input in how health services were delivered. TB prevention was surrounded by myths, misinformation, and fear. I wanted to help change that, to empower communities to actively participate in TB prevention and become informed advocates for their own health.
𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼?
One of my proudest moments was when the Ministry of Health and Child Care launched a Community TB preventive treatment (TPT) literacy toolkit that we developed through the project and in consultation with communities. It provides easy-to-understand information about TPT. I was proud to be part of a national change that truly put people at the center.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗱’𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲?
Unitaid’s support has been transformative. It enabled us to reach underserved communities, build local capacity, and amplify community voices in TB prevention. Their investment helped us innovate and scale up approaches that are culturally relevant and community-driven – changes that continue to have an impact today.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁?
Success means empowered communities that understand TB prevention, reduced stigma, and sustained engagement beyond the life of the project. Communities are resilient and eager to be part of the solution when given the opportunity and support.
