World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed annually on March 24 to raise awareness about TB and efforts to end the global epidemic, marking the day in 1882 when the bacterium causing TB was discovered.
The theme of World TB Day 2023 – Yes! We can end TB! – aims to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action and multi-sectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) despite significant progress over the last decades, TB continues to be the leading cause of death in South Africa, claiming 56 000 per annum, more than half of which are people living with HIV (53%). It is also the most infectious killer worldwide, claiming over 1,5 million per year.
Paul Mashatile, the South African National AIDS Council’s (SANAC) Chairperson and Deputy President, will preside over the commemorations on Friday at Tlhabane Stadium in Rustenburg. He will be accompanied by the President of the SANAC Private Sector Forum (PSF), Nompumelelo Zikalala, the Premier of the North West Province, Bushy Maape and the Chairperson of the SANAC Civil Society Forum (CSF), Steve Letsike.
They will also be launching the new National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs.
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a serious health danger that could jeopardise progress made in the fight to eradicate the disease. Public education regarding the value of screening, testing, and completing one’s treatment if infected can help to reduce this. Despite the disease being curable, TB remains a high cause of mortality in the world and in South Africa.