Residents of Roodepoort and surrounding areas will be able to undergo free HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) screening and testing at all clinics during March and April.
This forms part of a campaign by the city to create awareness for TB and HIV/ Aids. The campaign will run until the end of April, reaching its peak on 24 March, to coincide with the commemoration of the annual World TB Day.
“We will also be conducting community outreach initiatives,” said Mpho Phalatse, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development.
She added that they aim to create awareness of the fact that – depending on the type of infection – TB can be completely cured if patients follow the treatment regimen for the prescribed period.
“Testing and treatment for TB and HIV are available for free at all City clinics. We urge communities to encourage families and friends to visit clinics if they notice the tell-tale TB symptoms. The testing and treatment will remain free beyond the completion of the awareness campaign in April. It is equally important to provide ongoing support to TB patients and to ensure that they continue with the treatment until they are cured,” said Mpho, who will be leading the awareness campaign.
An important part of this year’s outreach will be finding the missing patients – those who were diagnosed but did not commence or continue with their treatment programme. Health promoters will give special attention to residents living in informal settlements and hostels, as well as miners, the elderly, children, immune-compromised individuals and healthcare workers.
The focus will be on these groups because they are often the most affected, but at the same time the most neglected when it comes to screening and treatment of these diseases.
Some TB facts to take note of, include:
– TB is an infectious disease that is spread from person to person through the air, mainly affecting the lungs.
– Statistics South Africa’s most recent figures confirm TB is still the country’s number one killer – responsible for almost 40 000 mortalities annually.
– According to the World Health Organisation’s Global TB Report 2016, South Africa reported 454 000 new TB cases in 2015, making it the country with the 6th highest incidence of TB in the world – surpassed only by India, Indonesia, China, Pakistan and Nigeria. Of the 454 000 reported cases, an estimated 60–73 per cent are co-infected with HIV/AIDS.
– TB symptoms include a persistent cough continuing for more than two weeks; a fever lasting for more than 14 days; unexplained weight loss; drenching night sweats, and sudden fatigue.
– The spread of TB can be prevented by covering your nose and mouth when sneezing, coughing into your elbow, ensuring your house is properly ventilated, living a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, and a balanced diet.
Mpho concluded by saying, “The number of TB cases in the CoJ has been steadily declining and we are committed to realising our vision of a healthy, working City. We are a caring government that will work tirelessly to ensure that all our residents have access to proper healthcare.”
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