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Deputy Minister Paul Mashatile speaking at a government event.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who chairs the South African National Aids Council, says the government is maximising efforts to defeat Tuberculosis.
Mashatile was delivering the keynote address at a World TB Day commemorative event at Gamalakhe in Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal.
He said South Africa had one of the highest TB burdens in the world.
Mashatile says in 2023, 270,000 South Africans were diagnosed with TB and 56,000 lives were lost. He says this translated to 153 people dying from TB every day.
Mashatile says government intends to eradicate what is described as a preventable and curable disease.
“The government will intensify the four critical objectives. The first one is to raise the awareness, promoting preventative measures, early diagnosis and effective treatment. We will promote access to healthcare by providing universal health care services and psycho-social support. Everyone who is affected by TB. We will advocate for research and innovation for the development of more vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatment,” says Mashatile.
VIDEO | World TB Day commemoration in KwaZulu-Natal:
