19 September 2006
The Cabinet of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Government held its ordinary
weekly meeting today Tuesday, 19 September 2006, at Telkom Building, 300
Langalibalele Street.
The Premier and his Cabinet were presented with a progress report on the
implementation of the tuberculosis (TB) crisis management plan in the province
by the provincial Health Department. The National TB Crisis Plan was launched
on 24 March 2006, by the provincial Health Department. The Ethekwini was
identified as a site for the implementation of the national Crisis Plan.
Furthermore the province identified three other districts Umgungundlovu,
Umzinyathi and Uthungulu as having significant challenges for the management of
TB.
The Premier and his Cabinet expressed satisfaction on the provincial Health
Department's pro-activeness in dealing with the XDR TB outbreak in the
province. The KZN Cabinet also noted that KwaZulu-Natal is advanced on
surveillance on XDR TB and setting systems for monitoring the disease.
The KZN Cabinet was briefed that the province has already started XDR TB
active surveillance in the Msinga area and that the process of expanding
treatment centres throughout the province to all district has already began.
Furthermore, the provincial Health Department will continue to analyse
laboratory data and procure additional drugs needed to deal with the
outbreak.
The KZN Cabinet also noted that XDR TB is not only found in KwaZulu-Natal
but has been discovered in all World Health Organisation health regions.
Among the current challenges the report noted are poor nutrition,
immuno-suppression and overcrowding which are prevalent in the province due to
poverty, HIV prevalence and overcrowding.
The Cabinet therefore resolved to further intensify the Direct Observe
Treatment Strategy (DOTS) and encouraged all sectors of society to assist those
already affected by the outbreak. It further resolved that the Premier and his
Cabinet will offer visible support by visiting some of the treatment centres in
the province to tender moral support to those already affected.
For further information contact:
Selby Khumalo
Cell: 083 633 9404
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
19 September 2006
Source: SAPA
