Convening puts spotlight on data once again with a call to action

The importance and value of having open access to data to improve SA’s TB response was once again brought to the spotlight in this year’s annual TB convening.

The Call to Action report was launched at the convening unpacking why access to data is an essential public benefit for transparency, accountability and good governance.

This report advocates for open access to key facility-level TB indicators to improve public services and accountability. It argues that access to data can lead to more equitable resource allocation and better decision-making, while also addressing concerns about data protection and privacy in the digital age.

The work was done by researchers from the Research on Socio-Economic Policy (RESEP) unit at Stellenbosch university. At the convening, health economist attached to RESEP Camren McAravey emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in TB data.

“The National Department of Health did not include TB testing data in its annual report for 2021/2022. Tier.net routine data is only shared as national aggregates and the Health System’s Trust District Health Barometer reports – which provide district-level data – have not been published since 2020.The lack of transparency in TB data reporting presents a serious challenge to effective public health planning and accountability,” she noted.

This year’s annual TBAC convening was focused on the patient experience.

McAravey presentation on data transparency resonated with presentation by 

Dr. Waasila Jassat, technical support at the National TB Programme and chair of the TB Vaccines working group at the National Department of Health.

Jassat explained the challenges and opportunities to achieve the end TB targets and the barriers to TB care. “Despite improvements in TB treatment outcomes over the years, significant issues like low case finding, adherence to treatment, high loss to follow-up, and elevated mortality rates still exist,” she said.

Dr. Jassat explained that barriers exist at individual, family, community, and structural levels, with many stemming from socioeconomic factors.

Researchers from Stellenbosch University’s RESEP group and UWC’s economics department together with advocates from, TBHIVCare, Doctors Without Boarders, Rural Health Advocacy Project, the Treatment Action Campaign, ShowMeYourNumber and TB Proof participated in the two-day convening.

Outside of the numbers, the convening highlighted the importance of addressing socio-economic barriers, reducing stigma and improving access to quality care.

Delegates emphasised the need for healthcare systems to prioritise improved access to quality healthcare, implement the National TB Programme and raise public awareness about the preventative methods in place to help the fight against TB.

Jabu Xaba, President and Chair of the regional Southern Africa Miners Association, shed light on the alarming TB burden in South Africa’s ex-miners. The Eastern Cape, in particular, bore the brunt with the highest number of TB cases among mine workers. “31% of ex-miners in the Eastern Cape Gold-Sub Sector are affected by TB, exposing gaps in healthcare,” he said.

Xaba emphasised the need for improved access to quality healthcare for current and ex-miners especially in rural communities.

Mabalane Mfundisi, a leader in the South African National AIDS Council Civil Society Forum Coordinating Committee and founder and executive director of Show Me Your Number, spoke about the role of civil society in the TB implementation. Show Me Your Number is an organisation focused on reducing HIV and TB infections, combating stigma and promoting social cohesion through sport, arts and culture for awareness, training and community engagement.

He touched on the first pillar of the National TB Programme which focuses on communicating and Advocating. He said the plan was to use collective capacity to communicate and advocate in sectors, provinces, districts and local civil society structures by using all available platforms at our disposal.

Zimbini Madikiza, Outreach and Training Coordinator at RHAP unpacked the challenges of TB health provision in rural areas, emphasising the importance of acknowledging the right to health. 

“These issues exacerbate high HIV and TB prevalence, child and maternal health concerns, and non-communicable diseases,” she says.

Madikiza called for mobile clinics and effective community health worker programs to improve healthcare access. She concludes that effectively treating TB is important for improving overall health.

The full Call to Action report is now available for download. Access the report here.