Deputy President Paul Mashatile Urges Unity in the Fight Against Tuberculosis

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on South Africans to unite in the battle against tuberculosis (TB).

Speaking at the World TB Day commemoration in Gamalakhe, near Port Shepstone, in the southern part of KwaZulu-Natal, Mashatile emphasised the country’s significant TB burden, with 270,000 new cases reported in 2023 alone.

In his address, Mashatile officially launched the End TB campaign, which aims to test 5 million people by the end of 2024. The initiative seeks to intensify efforts to combat the disease and reduce transmission rates, ultimately working towards the elimination of TB as a public health threat.

Furthermore, the Deputy President stressed the importance of integrating HIV and TB services more effectively, as the two diseases are often co-related. He assured citizens that TB treatment remains free of charge at public health facilities, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all South Africans.