Lerato Clinic urges patients to take their treatment
The Lerato Clinic tries by all means to spread the word to patients about the importance of getting tested and taking their treatment for TB.
March is TB Awareness Month and on March 24 we commemorated World Tuberculosis Day.
This day is about raising awareness of the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
Even though TB can be cured, it remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer.
This year’s theme is “It’s Time”.
The focus this year is on urgently accelerating the TB response to save lives and end suffering.
The GCN visited Bertha Gxowa Hospital’s Lerato Clinic to talk about the work they do at the clinic and about the challenges of TB.
Dr Nommso Stubbs, HIV/Aids, STI, TB (HAST) medical officer, said that people need to know TB is curable.
“You can beat TB if you take your treatment right and make sure you finish the treatment course,” said Stubbs.
She said we can all be carriers of TB but not get sick from it.
“You can be infected and never get sick.
“Something might trigger it and develop active tuberculosis.
“This means you can carry the bacteria in your body without ever showing or experiencing symptoms of the disease,” said Stubbs.
She added that she has treated a number of TB patients with different types of TB.
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“You can also get TB in other parts of the body, like the brain, kidneys and spine, causing serious damage.
“So it’s important to attend your treatment when you are diagnosed with TB and not wait until it is too late.
“If you see signs or suspect you have TB, please visit your nearest clinic,” said Stubbs.
She stressed the importance of people looking after themselves and others when they have TB.
“TB is contagious and it is spread through expelled droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or spits.
“You can contract TB by breathing in these particles.
“Droplets can be active for up to 48 hours if a room does not get fresh air,” said Stubbs.
She said if you are living with someone with TB, you also need to look after yourself.
“Living in the same home as an infected person does put you in danger.
“You need to protect yourself and there is medication we give to patients living with someone with TB to protect them from getting it,” said Stubbs.
The Lerato Clinic tries by all means to spread the word to patients about the importance of getting tested and taking their treatment.
Wanga Siditsha, TB focal nurse, said as soon as patients walk into the clinic they ensure that they educate them.
“We always educate our patients and tell them about the steps we are going to take, from testing and getting the results to treatment, to ensure that all their questions are answered,” said Siditsha.
She said that it’s not always easy because some patients will not share the correct information or collect their results.
“The biggest challenge is defaulting patients because they are making things difficult for themselves.
“If you don’t finish your treatment, the TB comes back stronger and turns into drug-resistant TB (DR TB).
“This becomes dangerous because now we cannot give the patient the same treatment, we must start a new treatment that can take longer,” said Siditsha.
HAST area manager Lindiwe Nkopo added they have challenges with false information.
She said it makes it difficult to follow the progress of the patient.
“Some patients come in, get tested and do not come back for the results, only to find that they have TB.
“When you call you find that the number is wrong and even the address.
“We cannot even track them down and now they are out there spreading TB,” said Nkopo.
She urged patients to be honest because it’s for their own good.
“When you share false information you are not helping anyone.
“We are here to help you, so please, we urge patients to share correct information,” said Nkopo.
Furthermore, Stubbs stressed the financial implications involved in treating TB.
“TB treatment is expensive and government is making sure it provides for those who cannot afford to pay for treatment.
“But sadly, people are misusing the funds.
“When you start treatment and do not finish it and default you just wasted money.
“But now more money will be spent because we have to give you treatment for a drug-resistant TB (DR TB).
“So we urge people to be responsible and not waste resources,” said Stubbs.
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