17 November 2006
The Department of Health will on Sunday, 19 November 2006, launch a three
day Tuberculosis blitz campaign in eNkangala, Mpumalanga.
This follows similar campaigns in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and
KwaZulu-Natal, where it has been discovered that there are very high levels of
TB infection but low cure rates.
According to the World Health Organisation the norm for cure rate is 85%,
but almost all the provinces are 30% in terms of their cure rate.
TB has emerged as the leading cause of death in South Africa and the
situation is further complicated by the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS. Last
August the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministers of Health
declared TB a crisis in member states at their meeting in Maputo,
Mozambique.
Challenges that have been identified as contributing to this low cure rate
include amongst others, high mobility rate of patients; lack of support for
those suffering from the disease in families and communities; continuing
stigmatisation of the disease.
The main reason for this intervention is the need to increase community
mobilisation, dissemination of information, and education, so that in the final
analysis South Africans can offer support to those suffering from TB; report
early to health facilities once they suspect symptoms of TB for early diagnosis
and treatment. What is important for South Africans is to know that TB is
curable, as long as people complete their six months of treatment.
The three-day campaign will culminate in a national event to be held in
Emalahleni Local Municipality on Tuesday, 21 November 2006.
The media is invited to cover the event which takes place as follows:
Date: 19 November 2006
Venue: Nkangala, Mpumalanga
Time: 09h00
Enquiries:
Dumisani Mlangeni
Cell: 082 569 4011
Peter Moloi
Cell: 082 569 2533
Bhungani Mzolo
Cell: 072 406 8198
Issued by: Department of Health
17 November 2006
