1000 multi-drug resistant TB cases in Gauteng
Cure rate of MDR-TB is only 55% and 238 people have died in the past three years.
There are an estimated 1000 Multi-Drug Resistant TB cases in Gauteng, but only 217 of these cases have been placed on treatment.
This information is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu in a written reply to the Democratic Alliances (DA) Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom’s questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
According to Mahlangu the number of diagnosed MDR-TB cases has risen over the last three years as follows:
2012 – 747
2013 – 857
2014 – 1007
“The increase is because of population growth.”
“Of the 217 MDR-TB patients on treatment, 115 are at the Sizwe Hospital, and the others are at the following hospitals:
Pholosong Hospital -43
Tembisa Hospital – 13
South Rand Hospital – 13
Tshwane District Hospital -11
Johan Heyns CHC – 8
Helen Joseph Hospital – 4
Leratong Hospital – 4
Charlotte Maxeke Hospital -3
Carletonville Hospital -3
“The cure rate for MDR-TB is only 55%, and 238 people have died of MDR-TB in the last three years,” said Mahlangu
Bloom said, “I am concerned that only about one in five MDR-TB patients in Gauteng are being treated.
“This means that about 800 people with MDR-TB are spreading infection to others because they have not been diagnosed and put on treatment in a hospital.
“There needs to be a higher priority in tracing people with this virulent form of TB as they are a danger to others and need to be treated if they are to have a chance of survival,” he said.
