THOUSANDS of people are suffering from tuberculosis in Free State and the authorities are concerned because TB is a manageable disease in South Africa.
The province's senior manager for TB management and control, Matseliso Morigihlane, revealed in Bloemfontein yesterday that the Mangaung metropolitan area was leading the pack with 6520 registered TB patients, followed by Lejweleputswa District with 5825 patients; Thabo Mofutsanyana with 3912 patients; Fezile Dabi registered 3147 patients; and Xhariep District had 1432 patients.
Mogorihlane said the department had treated 72.6% from its target of 77% and that treatment success was 77.9% from its target of 85%.
"Sixty-seven creches and pre-schools were visited, 3988 children were screened, 383 were suspects (of suffering from TB) and only 49 tested positive for TB," Mogirihlane said.
Mogirihlane said that the Lejweleputswa District had registered 24 cases of children with TB, followed by Thaba Nchu District with 14.
"We hope that one day we will eradicate the scourge and there is a need to intensify and reverse the scourge. Children under the age of five are vulnerable and we need to screen and pay attention to them," Free State Health MEC Dr Benny Malakoane said yesterday.
"TB is a serious disease that is associated with socio-economic hardships, and it needs a holistic approach. Those who default are also a worry to us. We will continuously shout the same messages until we have zero afflictions." - ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
TB in Free State still a concern
THOUSANDS of people are suffering from tuberculosis in Free State and the authorities are concerned because TB is a manageable disease in South Africa.
The province's senior manager for TB management and control, Matseliso Morigihlane, revealed in Bloemfontein yesterday that the Mangaung metropolitan area was leading the pack with 6520 registered TB patients, followed by Lejweleputswa District with 5825 patients; Thabo Mofutsanyana with 3912 patients; Fezile Dabi registered 3147 patients; and Xhariep District had 1432 patients.
Mogorihlane said the department had treated 72.6% from its target of 77% and that treatment success was 77.9% from its target of 85%.
"Sixty-seven creches and pre-schools were visited, 3988 children were screened, 383 were suspects (of suffering from TB) and only 49 tested positive for TB," Mogirihlane said.
Mogirihlane said that the Lejweleputswa District had registered 24 cases of children with TB, followed by Thaba Nchu District with 14.
"We hope that one day we will eradicate the scourge and there is a need to intensify and reverse the scourge. Children under the age of five are vulnerable and we need to screen and pay attention to them," Free State Health MEC Dr Benny Malakoane said yesterday.
"TB is a serious disease that is associated with socio-economic hardships, and it needs a holistic approach. Those who default are also a worry to us. We will continuously shout the same messages until we have zero afflictions." - ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
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