Drug-resistant TB undermines success - Motsumi

Presenting her Committee of Supply budget in Parliament on Monday, Health Minister Lesego Motsumi said the increase in Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR) and Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDRTB) undermines achievements posted over the years which have seen the number of TB cases decline significantly.

She said in the last five years, for example, TB cases came down to 470 cases per 100,000 population in 2007, compared to 623 cases per 100,000 population in 2002.
Motsumi said with the advent of MDR and XDR TB, her ministry has initiated a pilot TB/HIV programme for healthcare workers in six selected hospitals and two clinics.