6 March 2006
Following the declaration of tuberculosis (TB) infection rate as an
emergency in South Africa and the official launch of the expanded TB control
programme in the province, the North West Department of Health will on Friday,
10 March 2006, hold its annual Golf/Media Open Day in Orkney Golf Club near
Klerksdorp with the objective of enhancing the TB awareness campaign.
The rationale behind this initiative is mainly to provide journalists with
accurate and critical information on TB and its treatment and to also fortify
the existing relationship with media personalities through golf sport. The
event will also be part of the build up activities towards World TB day on 25
March.
On providing journalists with information on TB, a media tour to the
province's effective multi-drug resistance TB Unit situated in the Premier's
award winning Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital complex and a visit to one of the
local TB hospice in Klerksdorp have been organised.
The multi-drug resistance unit is the section where TB patients are admitted
for thorough observation and treatment that they receive until they are cured.
The unit has thus far obtained a cure rate of more than 70 percent.
"We believe that media is the most effective and accessible source of
information that the communities can rely on. We are to a certain extent
hopeful that by the time they get back to their different media houses, our
journalists will be armed with useful and essential tuberculosis information
for members of the public,â said MEC Nomonde Rasmeni.
The MEC, who will in the morning address the media about the provincial
status of TB infection and treatment rates, says the Department's main focus is
on advocacy and community awareness.
"There's a serious need for us to educate and assure communities that when
treated properly, there is no doubt that TB can be cured. What we also need to
inform communities about, with the help of our journalists, is that TB and HIV
are two different infections. If you are TB positive that does not
automatically mean you are HIV positive," stressed MEC Rasmeni.
Members of the media are invited to the media open day during which they
will also be afforded an opportunity to play golf with well known professional
golfers from other provinces. A prize giving ceremony for winners and media
dinner will be held later that day.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Selloane
Cell: 083 628 0293
Enquiries:
Barba Gaoganediwe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (018) 387 5830
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: kgaoganediwe@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, North West Provincial Government
6 March 2006
