KZN boasts TB treatment success rate

TUBERCULOSIS treatment outcomes have improved substantially in KZN, moving from a 55% treatment success rate in 2005 to 86.3% in 2014.

Speaking on World TB Day, KZN Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, praised health care workers and other role players involved in the fight against the spread of TB as their collective efforts have made a tangible difference in a province regarded as the epicentre of the disease.

However, Dhlomo expressed concern about delayed testing and diagnosis of people living with HIV, saying this still posed a challenge.

‘Huge effort is being made in the quest to create a world free of tuberculosis as envisioned by the World Health Organisation,’ said Dhlomo.

‘Among these are the efforts by health care workers, government’s Operation Sukuma Sakhe programme, communities and developmental partners who have all played a pivotal role in ensuring screening and adherence to treatment.

‘We have also implemented a massive TB screening campaign in all 11 health districts in the province, placing emphasis on TB screening of all people visiting health facilities regardless of the reason for their visit.’

Since the launch of the ‘Tackling TB in Schools’ campaign in October 2014, more than 13 000 pupils have been screened, of whom 343 were found to have signs or symptoms of TB.

‘Overall, we are making good progress, as integrated TB/HIV services are now accessible and available in all the 779 public health facilities.

‘Our country also has the largest number of the GeneXpert machines in the world (289), with KZN allocated 90 of them.

‘These machines have greatly assisted in the early diagnosis of TB and MDR-TB and allow initiation of TB treatment within 24 to 48 hours.’