World TB Day 24 March, commemorates the ongoing battle to End TB

The Clock is Ticking to End Tuberculosis! This is the theme for 2021 World Tuberculosis Day on 24 March according to the World Health Organization. Global leaders and communities are losing time to commit to putting an end to one of the worlds most deadly infectious diseases in the world. “This is especially critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that has put End TB progress at risk, and to ensure equitable access to prevention and care in line with WHO’s drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.” – WHO
We commemorate World TB Day each year to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, each day, nearly 4000 lose their lives to TB and close to 28,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease. Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 63 million lives since the year 2000. South Africa is ranked in the top 10 countries affected by TB. TB is the leading cause of death in South Africa, accounting for 6.4 percent of all the natural deaths in 2017. In 2021 TB is also still goes unnoticed due to under-reporting and medication resistant strains due to availability for testing and other socio-economic reasons.
You can find out more about the USAID/South Africa FY 2021 Tuberculosis (TB) Roadmap, implemented with FY 2020 budget right here. It was developed in consultation with the National TB Program (NTP) and with the participation of national and international partners involved in TB prevention and care in the country. You can also find out about the World Health Organization World TB Day campaign for action goals here.
Some risk factors to look out for include:
- Chronic cough
- Severe fatigue
- Severe weightloss
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Hemoptysis (coughing blood)
- Chest pain
At Mediwell Dental & Medical Centre Dainfern you can get your TB assessments done. You can get your chest X-rays done as well as discounted lung function tests if you book your sessions. Mediwell also provides blood tests as well as PPD test on ones arm.
If you’re a smoker, have asthma or have chronic coughs, we suggest getting your lung function tested. You can also get the same tests done post-covid or if you have lung function issues due to being overweight or clinically obese. Mediwell also has an in-house nutritionist to help you build a nutrition plan to keep you healthy and your immune system strong. |Mediwell also provides post-covid treatments as well as TB treatment after diagnosis.
Book your Lung Wellness with discounted Lung Function test today. You can book online, via e-mail, WhatsApp or phone call. Contact us here and get the best medical treatment with Mediwell Medical & Dental Centre Dainfern.