SA continues to grapple with TB: Mashatile – SABC News

South Africa continues to grapple with Tuberculosis, which remains the leading cause of death in the country.
A commemoration of National World TB Day has been held at Caledon in the Overberg District of the Western Cape.
Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, was among the dignitaries who attended the event.
This year’s country theme is: ‘Yes! You and I Can End TB.
South Africa remains one of the countries hardest hit by TB.
Annually, an estimated 56 000 TB related deaths are recorded, with more than half of those among the people living with HIV.
Authorities say this year’s theme calls on leaders and individual action in combating the disease.
Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, says there has been a steady decline in the number of people contracting TB annually compared to the 2015 baseline.
Mashatile says the national TB programme has managed to achieve a reduction of the TB incidence rate by 61% of new TB cases by 2024.
“Treatment outcomes for drug-resistant TB patients have improved significantly. We are now seeing a 79% treatment success rate, and for the first time, lost-to-follow-up rates for Drug-Resistant TB are in single digits. This breakthrough is a result of our accelerated efforts in scaling up the introduction of shorter, more effective regimens.”

I want to make a special call today to men: please get tested for TB. Our data shows clearly that many of the missing cases are among men. In the past 11 months, even though fewer men have been tested, their positivity rate is much higher. Testing more men will help us find those… pic.twitter.com/LaoKkxd4Gb
— Paul Mashatile (@PMashatile) March 24, 2026

Last year, the End TB Campaign, which aims to test five million people each year, was launched in KwaZulu-Natal.
Authorities say over three-point-five million tests have been conducted since the launch of the campaign.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says, “This is the highest number ever recorded in a single year of our TB programme. It stands as a testament to the tireless dedication of our health workers, the resilience of our communities, and the steadfast support of our partners. But we cannot stop there. Progress is a journey rather than a destination. Every accomplishment should motivate us to keep going, put in more effort, and make sure that no one is left behind.”
The Department of Health says advances in technology and science have played a major role in the fight against TB in the country.
Community mobilisation and awareness campaigns have also been identified in helping to keep the numbers steady.
Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has urged families and communities to support those who have contracted the disease.
Motsoaledi has further urged communities to conduct tests and screening for early detection.
“When I was a medical student, that was 42 years ago. Diagnosing TB used to take 6 weeks just to diagnose one person. But now it takes less than two hours. And that helps because people are placed on treatment much quicker. But the other reason is community mobilisation. That’s why we are putting TB just like HIV under SANAC, where you find 18 sectors. Communities, business, researchers, traditional leaders, traditional healers, etc. So, it’s involved almost everybody, and that’s the only way that we’ve been able to lower the TB incidents.”
A new vaccine to help in the fight to end TB is in its late-stage trials, with the majority of trial sites and a significant proportion of participants from South Africa.

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