MZANSI joined the world to commemorate World TB Day on Sunday, 24 March.
South Africa remains one of the countries hit the hardest by TB. About 56 000 lives are lost annually, 53% of which are people living with HIV.
The Department of Health has urged people to take medication and finish the course. The period of completion of a course has been reduced to six months.
World TB Day was commemorated in Evaton on Sunday.
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Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla was joined by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and other government officials to commemorate the day.
Phaahla said although Mzansi remains among the high TB burden countries, there has been notable progress in the country’s fight against the disease.
"A steady decline has been noted in the number of people diagnosed with TB each year since 2007 where the figure was 644 000 compared to 280 000 in 2022. TB-related deaths are falling, but at a much slower rate," he said.
"In South Africa, we are taking further to say, yes, working together, you and I can end TB because indeed these calls are for the unity of action. We are a nation built and wired on the unity of purpose and unit of action for a united celebration in victory. We must declare that we will go hand-in hand towards 2030 to end TB."
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