Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi called for national mobilization against tuberculosis at a parliamentary ceremony on Tuesday that revived the South African TB Caucus. The minister and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza signed commitments to strengthen policies targeting the disease that killed 56,000 citizens in 2023. South Africa reduced TB cases by 50 percent from 2015 to 2023, meeting World Health Organization targets ahead of schedule.
The caucus will coordinate lawmakers across political parties to address treatment gaps and funding needs through 2030. About 280,000 infections occurred last year, with 54 percent of patients also carrying HIV. Officials plan to expand testing in vulnerable communities and improve access to medications for drug-resistant strains. The National Strategic Plan allocates 24.7 billion rand to cut new cases by 80 percent and deaths by 95 percent before 2030.
The caucus will coordinate lawmakers across political parties to address treatment gaps and funding needs through 2030. About 280,000 infections occurred last year, with 54 percent of patients also carrying HIV. Officials plan to expand testing in vulnerable communities and improve access to medications for drug-resistant strains. The National Strategic Plan allocates 24.7 billion rand to cut new cases by 80 percent and deaths by 95 percent before 2030.
