Stop TB Partnership

Desmond Tutu calls on South Africans to get tested as TB health workers recognized in Cape Town

25 March 2011 - Cape Town - Desmond Tutu issued a rallying call in the fight against TB in South Africa, saying that people need to get treated as soon as they recognize the signs of TB, such as a persistent cough and night sweats.

He also said South Africans from all walks of life needed to band together to fight the scourge of TB: "We all need to help. It has to be part of our saying that we need to look after the health of our people."

Tutu was speaking before a ceremony which honoured health care workers across Cape Town for their work in tackling AIDS and TB.

The annual awards ceremony, which is hosted by the city's health department and the Desmond Tutu TB centre recognizes health care providers who have exceeded their targets in fighting TB and AIDS. Trophies and gold awards were given to teams from NGOs and clinics which had doubled the number of people they test for HIV and TB.

"It just shows that if you set targets, you can achieve. We need to continue to strive to greater heights," said Executive Director of City Health, Ivan Bromfield.

The city has made inroads in dual testing for HIV and TB. In Cape Town, 94% of people who have TB were tested for HIV last year. This speeds up the process of getting people onto antiretroviral treatment. TB incidence in Cape Town remains high and above the national average, however.

View photos of Desmond Tutu in a World TB Day t-shirt on flickr