A new tuberculosis (TB) testing strategy has been available in South Africa since April this year, hoping to diagnose more people. Labelled a potential game-changer, an expert warns that issues like stigma and treatment barriers mustn’t be left behind. Known as Targeted Universal Testing (TUT), people who are identified as being more at risk of ..read more

The Global Fund has donated R8.8-billion to South Africa to fight HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria. The grant, which runs for three years from April 2022 until March 2025, gives a major boost to the country’s efforts to eradicate these diseases. Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla said the government would ensure the funding was used efficiently ..read more

Research conducted in South Africa to find shorter, more effective treatments for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) has contributed to a shift in global policy guidelines. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently announced upcoming updates to the guidance on the treatment of DR-TB.  Patients will now undergo six months of oral treatment for multi-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and ..read more

As TB awareness month comes to an end, a researcher has pinpointed why more men are exposed to tuberculosis in South Africa – differences in behaviour and activities are fuelling the huge discrepancy. Dr Lucy Connell, TB programme lead at Right to Care (RTC), confirmed that TB prevalence is higher in men. “TB notification rates ..read more

As the world marks World TB Day today, one of the few drug-resistant patients in South Africa has expressed relief at being able to be treated with the shorter-oral regimen.  Instead of the usual 18 months, Bruno Da Silva can now be treated for drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in six months. World TB Day is observed ..read more

Despite integrated interventions, the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), remains worried as South Africa’s HIV-TB mortality rates continue to soar.  CAPRISA, a global research organisation, released a study that demonstrated that the mortality benefit from health systems process improvements in real-world operational settings remains a challenge.  It assessed the ..read more

As the world searches for a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, all eyes are on nine candidates who have progressed to phases 2 and 3 of the clinical trials. These nine individuals bring a sense of hope in the fight against the dreaded disease which claims 1.5 million lives a year globally. While there is hope, there ..read more

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,  has urged the development of a new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine to end the global epidemic. He used the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as a benchmark as the world searches for a life-saving alternative.  Ghebreyesus aired his concerns during the Global Forum on TB Vaccines yesterday, an event ..read more

The much-anticipated rollout of the shorter regimen to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) has failed to make inroads leaving patients stranded across the country. Having started in March last year, only about 70 patients have received treatment – which is only being administered in four provinces. The new oral regimen can treat drug-resistant TB within a ..read more

People battling rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) could soon have access to a shorter and safer course of treatment. Doctors without Borders (MSF) have released the results from a clinical trial on an all oral six-month treatment regime. Current treatment can last almost two years and can include painful injections and taking up to 20 pills a ..read more