The Programme Chair, Prof. Willem Hanekom, Allow me to recognise our Deputy Ministers DM Dr Dlomo, DM Dr Mhaule, DM Bogopane Zulu, The DG of Health, Dr. Sandile Buthelezi, KZN Health MEC Simelane, Mpumalanga Health MEC Manzini, CEO of SANAC Dr Thembisile Xulu, Esteemed fellow panellists, National, Provincial, District and Local Civil Society Forum Sector Leaders and forum Chairs in all spheres.
Special greetings to TB Ambassadors present especially my friend and brother Prince Nhlanganiso ZuluComrades and Colleagues, all delegates, all protocol observed, Good Afternoon,
It is a privilege to join the opening ceremony of the 7th South African TB Conference 2022
As a country we have a proven track record of breaking down barriers to treatment; supporting community advocacy; sharpening accountability; identifying social, legal and gender barriers to care and guiding research and development.
As a country we continue to raise awareness about the harmful infectious disease TB, its social and economic consequences, and also to speed up efforts to end the TB epidemic at the National level, and globally. It has been seen that the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed the progress made in the fight to end TB. TB deaths have increased in this period. It cannot be business as usual. Too many people are dying …. That is enough…. We can control TB back, and we can end it if we work together.
In our communities, TB tends to impact heavily on the most vulnerable and our role is to ensure that the advocacy and programmes that we implement as Civil Society benefits the very communities we serve.
As Civil Society we aim to stand together to:
- End TB stigma and discrimination- Stigma related to having TB is common in South Africa, and it contributes to people not seeking health services, which drives TB transmission. TB science must be used to affirm the rights and dignity of people with TB. We need to move to Zero Stigma, Zero Discrimination!
- Encourage all partners in the SANAC space to invest in TB and take initiative in ensuring we prioritise TB at all levels. We cannot become complaisant, we cannot be by-standers when people are still dying of TB, we must be clear on our position regarding the TB response.
- We can do so much more together by leveraging our strengths and resources as government, civil society, private sector and development partners. We need to foster a sustained joint advocacy to ensure a fully funded and integrated health response to deal with TB. This joint advocacy requires political will and concerted efforts to work together to strengthen health systems and improve the lives of our people.
- Save lives by keeping the TB conversations alive to ensure that no one is left behind ( the poorest and most marginalised groups, migrant communities, drug users, people with mental health challenges, the homeless and those in poor quality housing etc.)
- We need to expand and scale up integrated programmes to reach more high-risk populations and spaces to maximize impact. We need to ensure that through targeted programmes for people infected and affected by TB, we address the large disparities that still exist in our response efforts.
Closing
- The voices of patients, communities and civil society organisations carry the most inspiring messages of all. Today we listen to Cde Phumeza Tisile a TB survivor and one of our many TB Ambassadors across South Africa. She and many of our TB ambassadors reminds us all of the individuals who are affected by TB, and they all have a new powerful and inspiring story to share with us. This is for us to understand what it means to be infected, but also affected by TB.
- SANAC as a community has worked to put this agenda on the table, so implementation takes precedent, accountability remains key, decolonising the TB response remains key. Give power to the people and communities to be agents of change.
- Tuberculosis is a serious health threat, especially for people living with HIV. People living with HIV are more likely than others to become sick with TB. Our efforts should prioritise them
- Let us use this conference as an opportunity to inform new ways of thinking and working towards lifting TB beyond its traditional silo.
- I want to say to you all don’t lose hope, your strong willpower as people and the right treatment can help us fight against TB prevention can be the heart of growth. South Africa needs a healthy population for a healthy society, healthy economy and accountable health systems.
- I close of with a lyric message – Michael Jackson
There’s a place in your heart
And I know that it is love
And this place it was brighter than tomorrow
And if you really try
You’ll find there’s no need to cry
In this place you’ll feel there’s no hurt or sorrow
There are ways to get there
If you care enough for the living
Make a little space
Make a better place
Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me, and the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me
I thank you.
Steve Letsike:
CSF Chairperson
SANAC Co-Chair