Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), will on Friday, 24 March 2023, lead the official commemoration of World TB Day and Launch of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs for 2023-2028 in Rustenburg, Tlhabane Stadium, in the North-West Province.
Given that TB remains one of the leading causes of ill health and death in South Africa, and the challenges of TB patients not completing their treatment as well as the Missing TB Patients, the World TB Day commemoration was designated for March 24 every year to create awareness about the health, social and economic impact of TB locally and around the globe. South Africa remains among the nations hardest hit by TB.
This year’s theme for World TB Day is ‘Yes! You and I Can End TB’, and it is clarion call to encourage all South Africans to contribute to the national effort against TB.
The theme also emphasizes the importance of being accountable as an individual and as part of a collective.
The significance of this year’s commemoration is the launch of the fifth National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV, TB and STIs for the period 2023-2028. This new Plan entitled “The People’s NSP”, is by far the most critical since it will be the last one ahead of Agenda 2030, where the global community committed to end AIDS by the year 2030.
The World TB Day will be preceded by Policy-in-Action engagements led by the SANAC Civil Society Forum in collaboration with Government and the private sector on 22 and 23 March in various areas around Rustenburg, in the Bojanala District.
Deputy President Mashatile will be supported by the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla; Premier of North-West, Mr. Bushy Maape; SANAC Civil Society Chairperson Ms. Steve Letsike; the Chairperson of the SANAC Private Sector Forum Ms. Mpumi Zikalala as well as representatives from development partners inclusive of United Nations Agencies, USA Government Agencies led by the US Ambassador to South Africa, research entities, civil society movements and the private sector.
Members of the media are invited to participate and cover the commemorative event as follows:
Date: Friday, 24 March 2023
Time: 09H00
Venue: Tlhabane Stadium, Rustenburg, North-West Province
For media queries, please contact:
- The Presidency – Sam Bopape: matome@presidency.gov.za / 082 318 5251
- SANAC – Nelson Dlamini: nelson@sanac.org.za / 078 731 0313
- Department of Health – Foster Mohale: foster.mohale@health.gov.za / 072 432 3792
Members of the media are kindly requested to RSVP with their full name, designation, media house and ID numbers to Simangaliso Motsepe: simangaliso@sanac.org.za and Tshiamo Selomo: tshiamo@presidency.gov.za
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