TB is still South Africa’s biggest killer, but it does not have to be

DESPITE being both preventable and curable, tuberculosis (TB) remains South Africa's leading cause of death, with an estimated 56 000 TB-related deaths, comprising 25 000 individuals who were HIV-negative and 31 000 individuals who were HIV-positive.

- KGOMOTSO THIPE

STIGMA and discrimination must be addressed to ensure people understand that TB is a medical condition, and with proper treatment, it can be cured, says the writer.

(HENK KRUGER Independent Newspapers)

Furthermore, an incidence rate of 427 cases per 100 000 people were recorded in 2023, according to the World Health Organization. The Department of Health estimates that more than 270 000 people are infected annually in South Africa alone, including children and young people, who still succumb to the disease.

While South Africa has made progress in its TB response, the country continues to face significant challenges, including missed opportunities for diagnosis, particularly among children and young people, and the growing threat of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), which is harder and more expensive to treat.

To define and describe TB: it is an airborne disease that spreads when someone with active TB coughs, sneezes, laughs, or even sings in a closed space. Anyone can catch it, and anyone can help stop it. The Department of Health END TB CAMPAIGN launched in March 2025 aims to substantially reduce TB incidence and mortality in South Africa by 2035 through testing 5 million people in 2025/26.

So, what exactly is TB? TB is a serious lung infection caused by bacteria. It spreads through the air, not by touch or sharing food. You can have TB without knowing it for weeks or months.

This is why it is important to get tested early, especially if you have a cough, feel tired all the time, have night sweats, or are losing weight without intent.