Download PDFOrganisations like ‘Persevere Until Something Happens’ (PUSH) have taken on the vital role of educating and reminding communities about the ongoing presence of tuberculosis (TB) and its devastating impact on public health. PUSH, located in Extension 7 near Kliptown in Eldorado Park, recently held a TB Awareness Month event. The event aimed to give education to residents on TB and provide them with access to health screenings.
At the event, Shereen, an employee at PUSH, shared insights into TB’s nature, describing it as an airborne disease. Despite technical challenges during her talk, community members attending the event benefited from free health services on offer, such as IBM checks and screenings.
The main focus on the day was TB, which remains a persistent health challenge worldwide. The respiratory disease is caused by a bacterial infection, and manifests through symptoms like coughing that lasts more than three weeks, fatigue, night sweats, chest pain, weight loss, and a loss of appetite. What many people might not realise is that TB doesn’t only affect the lungs. If left untreated, it can spread to other organs and lymph nodes, leading to additional symptoms such as swollen glands, body aches, and headaches.
According to the World Health Organization, “it’s crucial to note that individuals infected with TB may not feel ill and, in many cases, aren’t contagious. Only a small percentage of those exposed to TB bacterium develop active TB disease. However, infants, children, and individuals living in resource-scarce environments, such as informal settlements, remain at higher risk. The lack of nearby healthcare facilities and exposure to environmental factors, like dust, exacerbates the spread of the disease in these areas.”
The awareness event at PUSH, done in collaboration with the Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU) and other organisations, successfully shed light on TB-related myths and facts.
The big highlight of the event was that of a doctor at the event who spoke about an innovative drug currently in development, offering hope for better TB management in the near future. The new drug is still on trial but has consistently yielded very good and promising results. In the meantime, TB continues to be a significant health concern, efforts like this signal a brighter future. With more advancing treatments and a focus on community health, it’s clear that the days of TB wreaking havoc are numbered.
Together, through awareness and action, we can eradicate this disease for good. Stay informed—there’s more progress on the horizon!
This article was submitted on 18 April 2025. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
