CAPE TOWN, March 24 (Xinhua) -- South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Tuesday called for collective action to end tuberculosis (TB), emphasizing that every individual has a role to play as the country marks World TB Day.
Addressing the national commemorative event in the Western Cape Province, Mashatile highlighted the importance of personal responsibility, shared purpose, and a whole-of-society approach to fighting TB.
Mashatile outlined progress in the fight against TB, including a 61 percent reduction in the TB incidence rate since 2015 and a 79 percent treatment success rate for drug-resistant TB patients, but warned that gaps remain.
"The proportion of estimated TB cases successfully placed on treatment has dipped from 79 percent to 74 percent this past year. This is not a statistic to ignore; it is a call to action. It tells us that we must double our efforts, close the gap, and ensure that every person who needs care receives it promptly," he said.
Mashatile urged citizens, particularly men -- who account for many undiagnosed cases -- to get tested and seek treatment promptly, stressing the role of families and communities in supporting patients and ensuring adherence.
He also announced plans to launch a pilot project for near-point-of-care TB diagnostic tests by July 2026 to bring testing closer to communities.
The government aims to test five million people annually under its national TB plan and End TB Campaign, with expanded testing and community engagement.
World TB Day is commemorated each year on March 24 to raise awareness of the global tuberculosis epidemic and efforts to eliminate it.
South Africa remains one of the hardest-hit countries, with TB claiming an estimated 56,000 lives annually, more than half of whom are people living with HIV. ■
