24 March 2006
The Gauteng Health Department is to intensity its efforts to combat the
spread of tuberculosis (TB) in the province.
This emerged at the World TB Day in Boksburg today. Statistics reveal that
there has been a significant increase in the number of people infected with the
disease in the past eight years.
Gauteng together with KwaZulu-Natal, the Western and Eastern Cape contribute
80% of the total number of TB cases in the country. Currently 376 out of every
100 000 people in the province are infected with TB.
Increased migration of people into the Gauteng province and poverty are some
of the factors contributing to the spread of the epidemic. The situation is
worsened by the prevalence of HIV and AIDS.
The province has adopted a four-pronged strategy to combat the disease
through social mobilisation, strengthening a healthy system, strengthening
laboratory services and enhancing the TB programme as a whole.
Faith-based organisations, womenâs and youth groups will be mobilised to get
involved in awareness campaigns. Local committees comprising of district
managers, ward committees and local clinics will be formed to sustain targeted
interventions at local level.
The number of healthcare workers will also be intensified while lay
counsellors and community health workers will be involved in improving
education and directly observed treatment. Recruitment or secondment of staff
from other areas to areas with high TB prevalence will also be considered.
A mechanism to trace those people who default on their treatment will also
be established to reduce the number of people who do not finish treatment.
For more information contact
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
Tel: (011) 355 3503
Email: SimonZ@gpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
24 March 2006
