World TB Day: Yes, We Can End TB

World TB Day: Yes, We Can End TB in Southern Africa

On March 24th, the world commemorates the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, which aims to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social, and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. This year’s theme is “Yes, We Can End TB,” which highlights the collective power and responsibility of individuals, communities, and policymakers to eliminate TB as a public health threat by 2030.

In Southern Africa, TB remains a major public health challenge, with high incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates. The region accounts for about 25% of the global TB burden, and 80% of the TB cases are co-infected with HIV/AIDS, which further complicates the diagnosis, treatment, and control of TB.

To address this challenge, the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) has been playing a critical role in promoting health issues, including TB, in the African region. Through its projects, such as the Southern Africa Tuberculosis and Health Systems Support (SATBHSS) project, the TB in the Mining Sector in Southern Africa project, and the Global Fund Regional Laboratory Strengthening project, ECSA-HC has been supporting the region to strengthen health systems, improve TB diagnosis, treatment, and care, and accelerate progress towards the global TB targets.