4 August 2006
The Gauteng Health Department and City Johannesburg Health Services has
today launched a Tuberculosis (TB) Crisis Plan at to increase the number of
people cured of chest infection in the province.
The event at Regina Mundi Catholic Church was attended by the Minister of
Health Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the MEC for Health in Gauteng Mr Brian
Hlongwa, City of Johannesburg Member of Mayoral Committee for Health Councillor
Matshidiso Mfikoe who took part in a door-to-door campaign to educate the
community about the disease.
There has been a significant increase in the number of TB cases reported in
South Africa over the past eight years. The TB caseload in the country now
stands at 550 cases per 100 000 population.
The provinces most affected are KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape
and Gauteng which together contribute about 80 percent of the total burden.
Gauteng has the third highest caseload of TB in the country. The incidence
of TB in Gauteng is 376/100 000 population and the Johannesburg metropolitan
contributes 44 percent of the total caseload. This is attributed to inadequate
implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS)
strategy, poverty and HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Johannesburg has been selected as an area of special focus to implement the
National TB Crisis Plan. In 2005 there were 18 275 new reported TB cases in
Johannesburg. Some of the challenges identified are the following:
* late presentation of patients to facilities, as a result of lack of
awareness about the disease and the stigma associated with TB
* late detection of patients by health care workers because of the low index
of suspicion of tuberculosis
* poor adherence to treatment which is a result of lack of understanding of
the importance of completing treatment
* high mobility of patients
* co-infection of patients with TB/HIV.
To address the current challenges and to improve TB treatment a campaign
will be undertaken to:
* strengthen capacity to diagnose and treat TB at district level
* strengthen laboratory network
* ensure patient centred approach to care for TB patients
* establish effective referral systems for TB patients
* ensure adequate support for TB patients throughout treatment period
* improve health seeking behaviour and treatment literacy
* combat stigma and discrimination
* empower people with or affected by TB disease
* ensure implementation of TB and HIV guidelines in all facilities
* ensure that all facilities are implementing electronic TB patients'
records.
For more information contact:
Simon Zwane
Head of Communications
Tel: (011) 355 3505
Cell: 082 551 9892
E-mail: SimonZ@gpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
4 August 2006
Source: SAPA
