Sunday, August 02, 2009

Greater integration needed for TB and HIV services

By Ofentse Mokae
02 August 2009

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says more and better integration is needed for the country’s Tuberculosis and HIV services.

Motlanthe was addressing the media after meeting with the South African National Aids Council, and said HIV patients will have to be tested for TB to strengthen infection control.

He noted that since TB and HIV have high co-infection rates, TB must become part of the SANAC’s agenda.

The council which Motlanthe chairs, had its meeting to assess government’s progress in addressing AIDS issues, this was his first meeting with the council.

Motlanthe further added that the World Health Organisation’s review on national TB control programme, had found there was improvement after visiting facilities and districts in all nine provinces.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and other role-players in the health sector also attended the meeting.

The deputy president concluded that the Council welcomed the WHO review report and agreed that TB will form part of SANAC and its structures.

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