Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ingrid Schoeman, Sasha Stevenson, Janet Giddy, Renier Coetzee, and Petula Pienaar
Published on 2024-03-22 15:23:02
In 2022, Tuberculosis (TB) claimed the lives of approximately 54,000 individuals in South Africa, making it the leading cause of infectious deaths in the country. The release of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs (2023-2028) and the updated TB Recovery Plan (version 3.0) was met with praise by civil society organizations, as these plans suggested the expansion of existing TB policies to preserve lives.
The key to saving lives lies in testing all individuals at risk for TB. A study conducted in South Africa highlighted the need to test all close contacts of TB patients, individuals with previous TB history, and those living with HIV. It was emphasized that health worker training and community campaigns are crucial for raising awareness about the new eligibility criteria for TB testing to ensure the availability of these services at the district level. Through the promised expansion of TB testing as outlined in the TB Recovery Plan, there is hope for eradicating this curable and preventable disease.
Highlighting TB as a human rights issue, it is noteworthy that World TB Day is celebrated coinciding with Human Rights Day as TB signifies a violation of human rights. The Constitution guarantees every individual the right to access healthcare services, while the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights emphasizes the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health for everyone globally. These legal commitments demand accessible, high-quality healthcare for TB that is free of discrimination and stigma.
Despite the existing right to health and TB policies in place, testing rates in South Africa remain low, indicating an insufficient number of people at risk being tested. Although TB can affect anyone through the airborne transmission of bacteria, it remains a stigmatized disease associated with poverty or HIV. Limited TB knowledge was found among individuals affected by TB in South Africa, as reported in community assessments.
Efficient policy translation is crucial, with policymakers, health workers, and community leaders supporting the national TB director and provincial TB managers for allocating adequate funding for the implementation of TB policies. Effective translation of TB policies was exemplified in KwaZulu-Natal through site visits by provincial managers to raise awareness about expanding TB testing among health workers and engaging in community campaigns even in remote areas.
Empowering communities to ensure access to promised TB services involves community engagement strategies led by community healthcare workers. Collaborations with various communities ensure the implementation of TB policies, reflecting the importance of community involvement in the fight against TB.
Building trust between community members, civil society organizations, and the National Department of Health is essential for addressing TB priorities. Developing action plans involves clear roles for all stakeholders and regular engagement with community members to align TB strategies and resources with community-based priorities.
A human rights-based approach to TB emphasizes collaboration between TB survivors, families, and the Department of Health in developing TB policies to improve TB care at the community level. This World TB Day calls for a community-led approach to TB that respects human rights and public health principles, underlining the significance of addressing TB seriously.
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