World TB Day is commemorated every year on 24 March and is designed to build public awareness that tuberculosis (TB) remains an epidemic in much of the world, causing the death of millions of people especially in developing countries.
South-Africa and the Northern Cape province will commemorate World TB Day nationally on Friday, 26 March 2010. The theme for World TB Day 2010 is “On the move to kick TB out”. The Northern Cape Provincial event will be held in Douglas in the Pixley-Ka-Seme District due to emerging multi-drug resistent (MDR) cases in the district. The Frances Baard District is still a crisis district with the highest number of TB and HIV prevalence rates.
The 2010 “Kick TB Campaign” will be launch on the same day as World TB Day. The objective of the campaign is to involve scholars in the fight against TB, promote healthy lifestyle and support the build-up activities towards the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup and lobby political support towards the fight against TB.
Part of the World TB Day programme in Douglas will include a soccer tournament and a health walk whereby all five districts will be represented by more or less 100 people consisting of scholars, teachers and political leaders.
Each district will host a school soccer tournament in at least four municipalities. It is suggested that the teams be divided in girls and boys teams to ensure the participation of both genders. Scholars will each receive medals for participating and the winning team a trophy.
Soccer balls will be provided by national Department of Health. Each district will be provided with t-shirts and Vuvuzelas for the scholars.
This campaign will be held in partnership with the Departments of Sports, Arts and Culture, Education, Social Development and Population Development and TB free. Parents will be encouraged to support their children during the tournament and by doing so also be informed about the disease and access Voluntary Counselling for HIV and AIDS services. Political leaders will launch the roll out of the campaign in their respective districts and municipalities
World TB Day build up activities will include:
* door to door campaigns
* radio slots and jingles
* mobile billboards
* TB messages through newspaper advertisements
TB ambassadors
Districts are expected to identify TB ambassadors (any person, preferably a role model, celebrity or political leader who had TB and successfully completed treatment) Ambassadors will give motivational talks on early identification of signs and symptoms of the disease, compliance to treatment, treatment support and infection control. It is not clear at this stage if ambassadors should be compensated but a voluntary service provision will be negotiated.
HIV and AIDS counselling and testing (HCT)
The efforts to tackle TB and HIV have over the years been largely separate despite the overlapping epidemiology. However, it is now increasingly recognised that through coordinated and combined efforts this dual epidemic can be halted. Organisations such as Pathfinder, Love Life and New Start will render peer education, condom demonstration and distribution and VCT services on site.
Northern Cape “Stop TB” Indaba
The first Northern Cape Stop TB Indaba will be held on 15 and 16 April 2010 at Mayibuye Centre in Kimberley. Stakeholders from business, mining, farming sectors, government departments, community structures which include non-government organisations, faith based organisations, traditional healers and traditional leaders will form part of the proceedings. The theme for the indaba is "Working together to fight TB".
Conclusion
In order to achieve effective TB control, a co-ordinated multi-sectoral approach should be adopted. The impact of Tuberculosis can be alleviated through the concerted efforts of Political leaders, the Departments of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture and Social Service and Population Development. These activities are in line in achieving the ruling party’s ten point plan (point eight and nine) and Northern Cape Department of Health strategic plan (point two and four).
Thank you.
Enquiries:
Andrid Scholtz
Tel: 053 830 2000
Cell: 0824479696
E-mail: ascholtz@ncpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
19 March 2010
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