Tomorrow, 24 March 2010, the world will be commemorating Tuberculosis Day. The illness is one of the major causes of death in many countries and a significant public health problem worldwide. TB, despite being fully treatable and curable, is South Africa’s number one infectious disease and one of the major killers of young adults.
Gauteng has seen encouraging progress in the efforts to fight TB. The cure rate which is currently at 79 percent is expected to reach 80 percent in this financial year increasing to 82 percent in the 2010/11 financial year. The defaulter rate has also decreased from 6.4 percent to four percent.
Encouraging the community to test and complete the treatment if positive, Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu says: “TB is curable, even in the presence of HIV infection and I want to urge those who are on treatment to stay the course and complete treatment”.
She adds: “I would like to appeal to everyone who may have symptoms to seek treatment before it is too late. Please consult your clinic if you have the following symptoms: a persistent cough for two weeks, night sweating, tiredness, loss of appetite and loss of weight”.
The department encourages people with ordinary TB not to default but complete their medication and be cured, which is the only way to prevent contracting multi-drug resistant (MDR) or extensive drug resistant (XDR) TB. Once the patient has MDR or XDR TB, enforced hospitalisation or quarantine is the only option. The enforced isolation aims at ensuring treatment is completed, and preventing infection spreading and the risk of an outbreak.
Under the theme, “Kick TB and live healthy!”, the province will on Friday, 26 March 2010 host national TB Day event at Sam Ntuli stadium in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni from 09h00. The event aims to increase awareness about TB, its symptoms and the fact that it is a curable disease.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Issued by: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government
23 March 2010
Source: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.health.gpg.gov.za/)
