Amakhosi urged to join fight against TB
'Amakhosi live among the people and have an important role to play in addressing society's social ills, including TB.'
Deputy President David Mabuza has called on all Amakhosi and Iziduna in the province to join forces with government to fight tuberculosis (TB).
Mabuza was speaking at the launch of the TB prevention campaign in Durban last week.
The launch, attended by TB ambassadors Prince Nhlanganiso Zulu and the University of Zululand choir, coincided with the international TB awareness month.
Mabuza said the role of the Amakhosi was vital.
‘Amakhosi live among the people and have an important role to play in addressing society’s social ills, including TB.’
He said a third of South Africa’s TB cases and almost a quarter of TB-related mortality occur in KZN.
‘If South Africa is to succeed in achieving the all-important goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2030,
KZN will have to succeed first,’ Mabuza said.
He encouraged people who live in close contact with TB patients to go to their nearest clinic or hospital to be tested for TB.
‘Anyone with any of the symptoms of TB, such as coughing for more than two weeks, night sweats, chest pains and loss of weight, should immediately be tested.
‘If you are found to have TB, start treatment on the same day and continue to take your medication every day for at least six months.
‘If you have the more serious TB strain which is drug resistant, you may have to take medication every day for between 12 and 24 months. Treatment is free at all our public clinics,’ he said.
He further commended His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini for using the example of his own son,
Prince Nhlanganiso Zulu, a TB survivor and one of the country’s TB Ambassadors, to raise TB awareness.
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