Boksburg: While South Africa has made progress in combating tuberculosis (TB), Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for increased global efforts to eliminate the disease. Speaking at the closing plenary of the 9th SA TB Conference at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Gauteng, Mashatile emphasized the need for solidarity, dedication, and commitment to end TB.

According to South African Government News Agency, Mashatile acknowledged Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi's assertion that ending TB is achievable within our lifetime. He highlighted that the country's response to HIV and TB serves as a reminder of the effectiveness of collective action over disjointed efforts. Reflecting on the mid-2000s, when TB was exacerbated by the HIV crisis, the Deputy President noted the progress made since the integration of TB/HIV strategies and community-driven care.

Mashatile pointed out that despite significant strides, South Africa still ranks among the top eight countries for TB incidence globally. At the start of the conference, the scale of the TB burden was made clear. However, he emphasized the country's momentum in strengthening systems and embracing innovation and technology. Since 2015, South Africa has achieved a 61% reduction in TB incidence, surpassing the World Health Organization's 2025 milestone, though progress on TB mortality has been slower.

Deputy President Mashatile stressed the importance of saving lives and restoring dignity as South Africa's TB response continues to evolve. He called for leveraging strategic information, innovation, and integrated service delivery to break down access barriers and ensure interventions reach vulnerable populations effectively.

The conference underscored the need for stronger accountability mechanisms and highlighted the importance of addressing the social and economic drivers of TB. South Africa's leadership in the fight against TB is demonstrated through evidence-based interventions and data-driven responses, including the launch of a public TB-data dashboard for targeted interventions.

Mashatile also reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to implementing TB vaccines once available, recognizing that ending TB requires addressing root causes such as poverty and gender inequality. The 'End TB Plan' by the Department of Health outlines priorities and activities, integrating with broader health strategies and the World Health Organization's End TB Strategy.

The Deputy President called on all sectors to contribute to ending TB, emphasizing the role of government in providing policy direction and resources, health workers in being equipped with necessary tools, researchers in advancing innovations, and communities in remaining active partners.