Ekurhuleni revives TB awareness in communities

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Pretoria - As the country marks Tuberculosis (TB) Awareness Month, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality will hold a TB imbizo to reach communities with messages regarding TB symptoms and treatment.

Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the Metro's health promotion soldiers and community development workers have already started with a door-to-door outreach campaign in various communities, focusing on treatment defaulters with an aim of encouraging them to return to their clinics for a screening and resume treatment.

He said the awareness drive will continue at three crucial community meetings starting at Kwa-Thema Civic Centre on 30 March and DH Williams Hall in Katlehong and Sam Hlalele Hall in Tembisa on 31 March 2011. The meetings will start from 9am to 12pm. 

"At the TB imbizo, the municipality will share information on the progress made in treating TB since last year and residents' concerns on the TB programme will be taken," said Dlamini.

The forum will be used to create and increase TB awareness to individuals and communities, reinforce TB treatment compliance, create awareness on TB and HIV.

It will also be used to educate the community about drug-resistant TB, allow communities to voice out their challenges when receiving care and create awareness on the major role that the community needs to play.