Hon Chairperson, with increasing infections of the corona virus in our country, patients with TB and HIV could be at a higher risk of obtaining the virus, therefore we need to ramp up our efforts for prevention, testing, treating and awareness for all these diseases.
Although we don't know much about corona virus, we do know that it poses particular risks to people with compromised immune systems.
With this being a worldwide issue and with TB and corona virus targeting the lungs, it does put us in stark contrast to many other countries because, as a disease, TB is more prevalent in South Africa, and more so in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and in KwaZulu-Natal.
We are one of 30 high-burdened countries, who collectively account for close to 90% of TB cases in the world. It also remains the leading cause of natural deaths in South Africa.
We need to encourage South Africans to get tested for TB and take their prescribed course of medication. It is time to stop being complacent with our health.
If we know that TB is driven by poor living conditions and late presentation to health facilities, our citizens must be encouraged to learn better habits and to see doctors when necessary, even with mild symptoms.
With the national strategic plan of government, we have made great gains on TB infections and treatment, however there is much more to be done.
We need to start seeing the results of rapidly cutting down on new infections and an increase of figures on those cured of TB. We must also see these rates increase significantly in our poorer communities, where the infection rates are much higher than in our suburbs.
Greater awareness, education and outreach programs should be a priority by the Department of Health, particularly within schools, health facilities and in public areas. Both
Archbishop Tutu and tata Madiba who had TB did a lot to fight this disease. It is no secret that these diseases thrive in environments in which our poor people are forced to live and work.
We need to raise awareness in all languages, across the full media spectrum to keep people informed on practical steps to maintain their health and prevent the spread of Covid-19, HIV and TB.
We need to radically ramp up access to testing, isolation and treatment. This will indicate that we are prioritising the poor and working towards equal health care for all our people.
Every South African deserves additional health care provision over and above the nationally provided health care. The research on TB continues, with existing treatments to control it, but we need citizens to play their role to unite and help us fight TB together. I thank you.