South Africa marked World TB Day with a commemoration in Caledon, Western Cape, where Deputy President Paul Mashatile noted declines in TB cases and improved treatment outcomes. The event underscored ongoing challenges, with TB remaining the leading cause of death. Authorities emphasised community action under the theme 'Yes! You and I Can End TB.'
A commemoration for World TB Day took place at Caledon in the Overberg District of the Western Cape, attended by Deputy President Paul Mashatile among other dignitaries. South Africa continues to face high TB burdens, recording an estimated 56,000 TB-related deaths annually, with more than half among people living with HIV, making it the leading cause of death in the country. The national theme this year is 'Yes! You and I Can End TB,' calling for leadership and individual efforts to combat the disease. Mashatile reported a steady decline in TB contractions compared to the 2015 baseline, with the national TB programme achieving a 61% reduction in new TB cases by 2024. He highlighted improved treatment for drug-resistant TB, stating, “Treatment outcomes for drug-resistant TB patients have improved significantly. We are now seeing a 79% treatment success rate, and for the first time, lost-to-follow-up rates for Drug-Resistant TB are in single digits. This breakthrough is a result of our accelerated efforts in scaling up the introduction of shorter, more effective regimens.” Mashatile urged men to get tested, noting higher positivity rates among them despite fewer tests. Last year, the End TB Campaign launched in KwaZulu-Natal aimed to test five million people annually, achieving over 3.5 million tests—the highest ever in a single year. He added, “This is the highest number ever recorded in a single year of our TB programme. It stands as a testament to the tireless dedication of our health workers, the resilience of our communities, and the steadfast support of our partners. But we cannot stop there.” The Department of Health credited technological advances, which reduced diagnosis time from six weeks 42 years ago to less than two hours, alongside community mobilisation. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi called for family and community support for patients and early screening. A new TB vaccine is in late-stage trials, with most sites and participants from South Africa.