WATCH: Celebrating #WomensDay, we spotlight a TB champion, Ntombizuko Kraai, who was diagnosed with TB soon after learning she was living with HIV. She now uses her voice to raise TB awareness, support others on treatment and advocate for better care, especially for women and children.

Did You Know? When people with TB are not diagnosed early or don’t complete treatment, the bacteria can become resistant to medicine. In SA, 13,000 people developed DR-TB in 2023. This highlights the urgent need to strengthen early detection and treatment completion to prevent TB from spreading.

Rural areas in SA face many challenges in the fight against TB, with clinics lacking clean water and infrastructure. These challenges delay diagnosis, increase transmission and worsen health outcomes. Strengthening rural healthcare is key to reducing the TB burden. More here: bit.ly/43V9fbY

Children are at most high risk of contracting TB, with 15-20% of all TB cases in South Africa occurring in children. As the nation observes World Health Day, with a focus on maternal and child health, this concerning statistic calls for urgent attention.

Around 60,297 people in SA have been diagnosed with TB but they haven’t started treatment or been notified. To stop the spread of TB, they need to get onto treatment. Read more about the progress & challenges in finding them in our State of TB Report here: shorturl.at/1uyAJ

On #InternationalWomensDay, we honor the resilience and accomplishments of women worldwide. We also shed light on the unequal burden of TB on women, particularly in low-income communities & emphasise the urgent need for better healthcare access.

One TB patient infects about 20 others, underscoring the need for widespread testing & transmission containment. Our #TipsForFinMin: Invest in expanding treatment coverage in underserved areas to curb transmission and improve public health outcomes.

TB Accountability Consortium is an advocacy platform dedicated to enhancing accountability in South Africa’s TB response. Our goal is to help reduce the country’s TB burden. Follow us for news, updates, and ways to urge the government to take action against TB. #EndTB

Access to TB treatment requires affordability, quality and reliable supply. Lack of testing and drug stockouts delay diagnosis, worsening spread. #TipsForFinMin: Prioritize accessibility for timely, barrier-free care.

@spotlightnsp.bsky.social @tbproof.bsky.social

TB is treatable and preventable, but it remains one of the leading causes of death in South Africa. Our #TipsforFinMin are to increase allocations for TB testing this year. There are more than 280 000 people estimated to have TB. But only 46% are successfully treated.

We need more tests! #LALELA

Early access to TB testing is a critical part of treating TB successfully. Our #TipsforFinMin are to prioritise adequate funding for TB testing and diagnostic resources.

Accessible testing means faster treatment and fewer deaths. #LALELA

DID YOU KNOW? People with a history of #TB face a higher risk of reinfection due to factors like incomplete treatment or weak immunity. This underscores the need for routine monitoring in strengthening retention on treatment and strong post-TB care. #EndTB #TBcare

People with HIV face a higher TB risk, accounting for over 54% of SA's TB cases in 2022. Sibongile contracted TB due to lack of HIV treatment. SANAC's National Strategic Plan aims to curb TB and HIV through integrated care, better testing, and treatment adherence.

TB testing is underway, but treatment access remains a major issue due to drug stockouts, hindering care in many communities. It's time for the South African President to prioritise these challenges in health budget allocations.

#LalelaMrPresident!