World TB Day commemorated in Ga-Mathabatha

Ga-Mathabatha

The Limpopo Provincial Government, together with Provincial Department of Health, have observed the Annual World TB Day on Friday 24 March at Madikeleng Sport Ground in Ga-Mathabatha Village outside Lebowakgomo, Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality.

World TB Day is observed annually since it was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1982. The rationale behind the observance is to educate the public about the health, social and economic impact of tuberculosis as well as measures to end this global epidemic. This year’s event is commemorated under the theme: “Yes! You and I Can End TB.”

The event started with a 5km walk led by Health Department MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba, which started in the village and proceeded to Madikeleng Sports Grounds.

Addressing the event, Ramathuba encouraged the community to screen for HIV, TB and other diseases to make sure they are well and healthy at all times.

“When diagnosed, it is important to take precautionary measures so you can be cured. You can visit your clinics or hospitals even if you are not sick and ask the nurses and doctors to screen you of everything possible to be screened, that helps to always know that your health is on good state or there is a sickness which you were not aware of then that is when it be treated sooner than to get sick first,” she said.

Ramathuba furthered lambasted some of the nurses, saying she is aware of staff members who turn away patients when they only visiting health institutions for screening and tell them to come only when they are sick.

“I am aware some nurses attend to sick patients only and not those who came for screening or check-ups. Such nurses forget that it is their duty to prevent sickness,” she said.

Ramathuba encouraged TB patients to take their treatment for the whole period as instructed by the hospitals and clinics.

“We are aware that some of TB patients take their medication for about a period of about 2 weeks and when they feel better they stop taking the treatment, of which later they get worst to a point where the first treatment cannot work anymore. TB does not stigmatize it does not choose who to attack,” warned Ramathuba.