The TB Accountability Consortium welcomes the signing of the Second Presidential Health Compact

21 August 2024

South Africa has made significant gains in reversing the losses following the two-year response to the global covid pandemic. In the last year, we have seen a significant increase in TB testing with increases in the number of people initiated on TB treatment. Avoidable TB deaths remain way too high with over 50 000 people losing their lives annually to a curable and preventable disease. Ending TB will require a whole of society approach, and it is to this end that the TB Accountability Consortium (TBAC) welcomes the signing in of the second Presidential Health Compact by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“We believe that the signing of the Second Presidential Health Compact is a turning point for our country’s health,” stated Nompumelelo Dube, Programme Officer for TBAC. “This compact demonstrates our collective dedication to advance healthcare for all, address inequities, and ensure a healthier future for every citizen. For tuberculosis, this entails ensuring that patients have consistent access to effective TB treatments. For TB control efforts, monitoring and evaluation will assist to assess the effectiveness of interventions and make data-driven decisions to improve TB outcomes.”

“We welcome the signing of the second presidential health compact at this critical time in response to TB,” said Russell Rensburg, TBAC Project Director under the Rural Health Advocacy Project.

In the signing of the compact TBAC commits to working with the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), National and Provincial Department of Health to implement the country’s ambitious National TB Strategic Plan. We encourage all stakeholders to support and engage with the compact’s aims, working together to put them into action and generate significant change. The Second Presidential Health Compact lays a solid framework for improving healthcare outcomes and building a more equitable and resilient health system.

For media inquiries, please contact:

 Aphelele Buqwana – TBAC Communications

084 667 8162      Email: abuqwana@rhap.org.za