5 March 2006
The World Health Organisation - Regional Office for Africa (WHO-AFRO)
Regional Committee Meeting held in Maputo on 25 August 2005 culminated in a
unanimous declaration of tuberculosis (TB) as an emergency in Africa by 46
Ministers of Health.
Member States were urged to:
* Develop and implement, with immediate effect, emergency strategies and plans
to control the worsening tuberculosis epidemic
* To rapidly improve tuberculosis case detection and treatment success
rates
* Accelerate Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS) coverage at district
and national levels
* Accelerate the implementation of interventions to combat TB and HIV epidemic,
including increasing access to antiretrovirals (ARVs) for co-infected
patients
* Expand national partnerships for TB control, especially public-private
partnerships
* Improve the quantity and quality of staff involved in tuberculosis
control
* Implementing strategies to reduce patient default and transfer out rates to
10% or less
The aim of World TB Day 2006 is to mobilise support for the fight against
TB. By mobilising communities, raising awareness, encouraging governments and
donors to invest in TB control, and calling for strengthened commitment, we can
ensure that TB is placed prominently on the global agenda and is eliminated by
2050.
In order to accelerate social and political action to stop the unnecessary
spread of TB around the world, World TB Day 2006 aims to:
* Engage government and donor agencies for strengthened commitment
* Promote TB control and care
* Serve as an advocacy and educational opportunity
* Increase pubic awareness, engagement and support in the fight against
TB
* Place TB higher on the international agenda.
The MEC for Health will deliver the keynote address and launch the new
campaign, Operation Kgutlela, at this event. (Operation Kgutlela is aimed to
bring all the TB defaulters back to the TB programme).
Date: 24 March 2006
Time: 9:00 - 12:00
Venue: Thabong Indoor Sport Centre, Welkom
RSVP: Before 16 March 2005 to naudeg@fshealth.gov.za / (051) 408 1710
Draft Programme
Programme director: Lejweleputswa District Health Counsellor
National Anthem led by: Thabong Choral
Opening Prayer: Rev. Ms Boitumelo Kgaborone, Moderator: Presbytarian
Church
Welcoming of guests: Mayor of Lejweleputswa
Success story: "Ms Riffy", TB cured client
Music item:
Drama: Mamahabane DOT Supporters
Traditional Dance: Traditional
Healers: Kutlwanong TDHS
Music Item: Thabong Choral
Launch of Operation Kgutlela: Mr Sakhiwo Belot: Free State MEC for Health
Acknowledgement of the traced defaulters: Free State MEC for Health
Soccer: Thabong DOT Supporters versus Thabong TB Patients
Vote of thanks: Mayor of Matjhabeng
Lunch
Enquiries:
Gela Naudé
Principal Communication Officer
Tel: (051) 408 1278
Fax: (051) 408 1579
Cell: 082 381 9483
E-mail: naudeg@fshealth.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Free State Provincial Government
5 March 2006
