South Africa: Minister of Health and TAC call on MPs to get tested for TB
On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, on the 24th March, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and partner organisations asked Members of Parliament to get tested for TB during the “We die of TB” march. A mobile screening unit was provided outside Parliament by the Desmond Tutu TB Centre. Whilst our memorandum was received by a representative of parliament, no Members of Parliament came out to get tested for TB.
Then, yesterday on 5th May, Minister of Health, Dr Aaron
Motsoaledi made a similar call during his budget vote speech.
The Minister said: “I would like all Members of Parliament
to undergo screening for TB. It is important.” He also
said: “I would like every Member of Parliament to join me
in spreading the message about TB. The three simple messages
are: Get screened, get treated if you are diagnosed to be having
TB, and complete your treatment.”
Though estimates vary widely, TB likely kills between 80,000 and
120,000 people in South Africa every year. In our view the
ongoing TB emergency requires involvement from all spheres of
government and society. It cannot be left to the Minister of
Health alone to drive the response. Wider political commitment
is essential – this must include Members of Parliament,
but also Members of Provincial Parliaments, Provincial MECs for
Health and Heads of Provincial and District government
departments.
- We therefore repeat our call on all Members of the national Parliament to get tested for TB.
- We also call on all Members of Provincial Parliaments to get tested for TB.
For more detail on specific TB-related issues that must be addressed see the memorandum that we presented to Parliament at the end of the “We die of TB” march.
Source:
Treatment Action Campaign
