Gov intensifies fight against TB amid concerns that men don’t seek help

 

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, says they will put more resources into fighting Tuberculosis (TB), which remains the leading cause of death in the country.

The disease claims an estimated 56 000 lives a year, more than half (54%) of which are people living with HIV.

Ahead of World TB Day on Monday, the National Health Department says it plans to test five million people annually.

Speaking at the end of a TB workshop in Sandton, Motsoaledi said they will target families to reach their goals.

The Minister urged the public to work with the department as it tries to curb TB-related deaths, which are deemed unnecessary since the disease is curable.

 

 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.25 million people died from TB in 2023.

Minister Motsoaledi says billions of rand are spent to deal with TB and HIV in the country and at least R800 000 is needed to cure one person with extreme drug-resistant TB.

In most cases, the condition develops when a person doesn’t stick to their treatment plan; doesn’t take a full course of their treatment or take the wrong dosage.

Chief Director of TB Control in the health department, Professor Norbert Ndjeka, says one out of five people who catch the disease in the country will die.

According to the medic, over 58% of people with the disease are asymptomatic, which he says, it plays a role in how fast the disease is transmitted.

While TB most commonly affects the lungs, research shows that it can also affect other organs, which include the lining covering the lungs, the central nervous system, bone and joints, lymph nodes, abdomen (liver, spleen and the intestines), kidney, bladder and blood.

Professor Nazir Ismail from Wits University says while males are mostly affected by TB globally, they are often the ones who don’t seek healthcare.

HEALTH: Let’s end AIDS (will involve research in South Africa) and then go on to eliminate other scourges like measles, TB, antimicrobial resistance, malaria- stop war and killing of children- never justified- and work for health again so people can be with their loved ones https://t.co/Rs2lcCOMe0

— Monica Gandhi MD, MPH (@MonicaGandhi9) March 19, 2025

South Africa gave the world gold and in return the world gave black people tuberculosis (TB). These ANC skelms really are a shameless bunch..

— Heartbeat Of Africa (@PeterDermauw) March 19, 2025

There are over a million people in South Africa who get HIV and TB treatment from MGOs funded through USAID. We know where the money is going. It’s paying over 15000 community based health workers and buying life saving drugs for poor people everywhere, especially in South Africa

— SkepSel (@SdonaG) March 18, 2025