SALGA join the nation and global community in commemorating World TB Day

Posted: 23 March 2023

The South African Local Government Association joins the nation and the rest of the world in commemorating the World TB Day under the theme Yes! You and I can End TB which aims to encourage individual action to contribute to the national effort against TB. The theme is aligned with the global theme 'Yes! We can end TB!' which aims to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, accelerated action, and multisectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic.

TB remains one of the world's deadliest infectious killers. Each day, close to 4400 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease. It is estimated that South Africa has a TB incidence of 304 000 with 163 000 people also having HIV and 6381 with drug resistant TB.

Poverty, undernourishment, poor living and working conditions amongst others, affect how people fall ill, develop TB and cope with the demands of treatment (including medical, financial and social), and influence the health outcomes they face. Thus, progress in combating TB and its drivers cannot be achieved by the health system alone and requires a firm political commitment at the highest level, strong multisectoral collaboration (beyond health), and an effective accountability system.

Local government working with other spheres of government, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and other organs of the state should eliminate structural factors which contribute towards the spread of TB by fast tracking the delivery of services such as water and sanitation, housing infrastructure, pollution control, waste management in informal settlements and underservices communities, building control and health surveillance of premises such dwelling units, hostels, schools, hospitals and other public places.

This year's World TB Day Commemoration hosted by the Rustenburg Local Municipality in the Northwest Province also marks the launch of the new National Strategic Plan for HIV,TB and STI 2023-2028 which serves as roadmap for the country's quest to eliminate the three epidemics as public health threats.
SALGA calls for urgent investment of resources, support, care and information to curb the spread of TB within our communities and further calls on everyone to contribute toward this course.

It is our collective responsibility to confront inequalities and put an end to this preventable and curable disease. Yes! You and I can End TB.
TB can be cured. Call the National Health Hotline to find out more about TB-0800 029 999