Opinion - The news in many parts of the world is that tuberculosis (TB) is reclaiming the title of the world's most deadly infection, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to kill an estimated 1,450 people daily around the world. But this is not news to African countries, which are home to one third of the people globally who die from TB, even though they have less than one fifth of the world's population.
8 November 2022Johannesburg — The news in many parts of the world is that tuberculosis is reclaiming the title of the world's most deadly infection, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to kill an estimated 1,450 people daily around the world. But this is not news to African countries, which are home to one third of the people globally who die from TB, even though they have less than one fifth of the world's population.
Consider Zanyiwe's story, who is recovering from TB a fifth time. Her son-in-law died from the disease, and her 18-month old granddaughter has it currently. TB has hammered her family and her community in Cape Town, South Africa--but this story could be set in Nigeria, Kenya, or just about anywhere, as TB has never been contained in Africa.
The first commitment was to find and treat 40 million people with TB between 2018 and 2022, including 3.5 million children and 1.5 million people with drug-resistant TB. We're 19% behind that overall goal, but 32% behind with children and 46% behind with drug-resistant TB. We now have new and shorter treatment regimens for TB and drug-resistant TB; using these new technologies could make next year, when another UN high level meeting on TB will convene, a different story.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
BBC World Service - Africa Daily, Will COP 27 count for Africa ?Will COP27 count for Africa? Uganda’s environment minister Beatrice Anywar shares her priorities for the climate conference, which kicked off in Egypt on Sunday. 🎧
Read more »
Africa: Armed Conflict and Climate Change - How These Two Threats Play Out in AfricaAnalysis - The world is falling miserably short of reducing carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, a 2015 treaty to keep global warming well below 2â.
Read more »
BBC World Service - Africa Daily, What changes can the new HIV/AIDS drug bring?Last month, Zimbabwe approved the use of a new medicine for HIV/AIDS. But how does it work, and what difference will it make?
Read more »
Home affairs reports on progress in cutting queuesOne initiative to reduce waiting at offices has been the introduction of a branch appointment booking system
Read more »
ANN CROTTY: Slow but steady progress in bringing state capture-accused to bookNo verdict on corruption culprits yet, but at least they’re in the dock.
Read more »
COP27: It’s about progress, not pledges, especially in emerging marketsThe transition to net zero will not be linear or simplistic, especially for companies in carbon-intensive emerging market economies like South Africa. Moneyweb COP27 NazmeeraMoola
Read more »