3 May 2007
TB (Tuberculosis) statistics in South Africa are alarming; TB accounts for
over 80% of the notifiable diseases in South Africa. TB Free, is a joint
initiative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the pharmaceutical company
Sanofi-Aventis through the Aventis Foundation based in Germany. The full name
of the initiative is the Nelson Mandela Aventis Project for Combating TB. It is
a non-profit organisation registered under Section 21 of the South African
Companies Act.
TB Free aims to achieve the following:
* the establishment of nine TB Free Centres (one in each province in South
Africa), identification of community centres and the provision of mobile units
to offer Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) training
* supporting the DOTS strategy by engaging full-time Direct Observed Treatment
(DOT) trainers and a TB project Manager in each TB Free Centre
* training Dot supporters
* Initiating Tuberculosis education and awareness campaigns.
The TB Free Centre in the Free State is situated in the Department of Health
Bophelo House in Bloemfontein. The Free State Centre started an awareness
campaign in January this year, during which over 4 000 people were reached in
Motheo, Lejweleputswa and Fezile Dabi districts.
The Centre will officially be launched to stakeholders and the community at
a dinner on 4 May. Mr S Belot, MEC of Health in the Free State will address
guests at the function. The aim of the launch is to draw stakeholder attention
to the public-private partnership between TB Free and the Department of Health
and to call other partners to join forces in combating TB in our country. Media
partners in the Bloemfontein area have been invited to the function.
The campaign to combat TB is being implemented in all 9 provinces and
includes provincial TB Free Centre launches, provincial school campaigns
(primary and secondary schools), media liaison events and regional advertising
activities. TB Free is already operational in all 9 provinces and centres have
been launched in Gauteng, Limpopo, Northern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and North West
provinces.
Centre launches in the remaining 3 provinces are due to take place from May
to July this year.
CEO of TB Free, Dr J J Mahlangu said, "We are committed to contribute
meaningfully to the reduction of Tuberculosis morbidity and mortality in South
Africa, thereby alleviating the socio-economic impact of the disease on the
rainbow nation."
Enquiries:
Elke de Witt
Cell: 083 561 6517
Gela Naude
Tel: 051 408 1278
Fax: 051 408 1055
Cell: 082 381 9483
E-mail: naudeg@fshealth.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Free State Provincial Government
3 May 2007
