The North West Department of Health will tomorrow, 23 March 2010 open expansion of a R40 million Multi Drug Resistance Tuberculosis (TB) facility to help strengthen the efforts to better TB cure rate (63.7 percent) in the province. The expansion of the MDR TB Unit from 36 to 70 beds will be unveiled by Provincial Health MEC, Dr Magome Masike at Tshepong hospital in Jouberton. The unveiling will coincide with launch of “Are Batleng TB Research Project” aimed at identifying patients with chronic disease early to reduce death and complications from TB, HIV, Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity. TB accounts for 25 to 30 percent of deaths and HIV accounts for 60 percent of deaths at Klerkdorp/Tshepong hospital complex.
The events are part of World TB Day activities to be commemorated in Tloung Village near Mafikeng on 24 March 2004.
The TB facility, which consists of an extreme drug resistance TB unit, caters for patients across the province and remains a pillar in the fight against TB. The province has 55 MDR in-patients and 419 out-patients with only 8 XDR in-patients. The MDR cure rate in the province currently stands at 65 percent while XDR is standing at 16.1 percent.
MDR TB and XDR TB are as a result of patients who default treatment and that remains a main concern for the department. Treating MDR/XDR TB is very costly as compared to treating an ordinary TB. This puts a huge strain on the department given the numerous and complex public health challenges it is facing.
Department’s TB Management Directorate together with health promoters, Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) supporters and volunteers are making inroads with intensive awareness campaigns at the epidemic’s high risk areas such as taxi ranks, and door to door visits. Over 3030 people were screened for TB since build-up activities commenced on 14 March. Seventy eight tested positive and was immediately put on TB treatment.
In another development at the hospital complex, BroadReach Healthcare will hand over a renovated Wellness clinic to MEC Masike thereby making access to quality healthcare possible to over 19,685 patients receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment at the complex. The renovations to the wellness clinic including the construction of an ARV pharmacy amounted to R6 455 896.15; with a further R193 518.41 being spent for furniture and equipmentswere all made possible by the generous funding and support from United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The media is invited.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
