South Africa accelerates TB screening and diagnosis with new technologies
The Department of Health in collaboration with Harmony Gold Mining Company, Mineral Council of South Africa and the Stop TB Partnership will on Thursday, 26 March attempt to achieve the Guinness World Records entry for conducting TB screening, using an ultra-portable X-ray technology, about 4000 meters below the surface at the world`s deepest mine located in Carltonville.
The initiative is part of the country's ongoing efforts and commitment by government working with the mining sector and other stakeholders to accelerate TB screening and diagnosis to end TB as a public health challenge by the year 2035. TB affects almost 11 million people each year globally, and despite being curable with an inexpensive antibiotic treatment, TB kills more people than any other single infectious disease. The main driver of the high mortality of TB is that every year, about 2.5 million people develop TB but are not diagnosed and treated.
In South Africa about 249,000 people fall ill with TB annually, and one quarter of them (62 250) do not get diagnosed and treated. TB surveys conducted in South Africa showed that screening people for TB-related symptoms as is normally done and the detection rate is at about 40% of people. Thus, to detect the other 60% of people with TB, technology including the chest X-rays (CXR) is needed. It is for this reason that, the mining sector in South Africa has made substantive investments in TB prevention and control which has resulted in significant declines in TB incidence.
The evolution of X-ray technology has progressed from analogue to digital systems, with further advancements leading to mobile and ultra-portable solutions. Thus, Ultra-portable X-ray systems offer significant advantages in terms of mobility, accessibility, and reduced radiation exposure.
The previous similar record which made it to the Guinness World Records was achieved by American healthcare professional, Michael Cairnie in 2022 for the highest altitude operating an X-ray machine at the Mount Everest Base Camp in Khumjung, Nepal, at an altitude of 5,364 meters above the sea level.
The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi together with the Chief Executive Officer of Stop TB Partnership, Dr Lucica Ditiu and the executives from Harmony Gold Mine, Minerals Council South Africa will attend this historic event to revolutionise the response to this deadly, yet preventable diseases. This day will commence with a team of health professional going down the deepest shaft on earth to conduct live TB chest
X-ray screening. The exercise is also part of mandatory screening as per the Mine Health and Safety legislation which recommends that employees, especially those vulnerable to silica dust, to undergo annual tuberculosis and silicosis testing.
Members of the media are invited to attend the event scheduled as follows: Date: Thurs, 26 march 2026
Time: 12h00
Venue: Mponeng Mine, operated by Harmony Gold Mining Company, No 955 Park Ave, West Wits, Carletonville
For and media enquiries, please contact:
Mr Foster Mohale
Health Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 072 432 3792
E-mail: Foster.mohale@health.gov.za
Ms Chipo Morapedi-Mrarais Head of Communication
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
Cell: 060 571 0797
E-mail: chipo.morapedi@harmony.co.za
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