SA hosts TB vaccine preparedness workshop
The Department of Health and the World Health Organisation have convened a workshop on Wednesday and Thursday in South Africa.
Delegates will work toward developing a country specific roadmap for TB vaccine introduction?
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The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Health minister calls for bold action as TB vaccine nears reality
Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has historically affected not only South Africa but countries around the world. 'We are here because we believe that TB – a disease that has shaped the history and health of our country and indeed, the whole world – can be ended. Not through words alone, but through action, partnership, and innovation,' he said on Thursday. The minister was delivering the keynote address at the country's TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop in Johannesburg. The workshop aims to advance policy and decision-making for the introduction of TB vaccines. Protecting the most vulnerable Addressing policymakers, scientists and community leaders, Motsoaledi said the upcoming phase will introduce preventative TB vaccination measures, which will also support the fight against HIV and Aids. For over a century, South Africa has relied on the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine to protect children from TB, but the minister pointed out that there has been no tool to protect adolescents and adults. 'These are the very groups most at risk of getting sick and transmitting TB,' he said. With several new TB vaccine candidates in the late stages of clinical trials, the most promising options are expected to be available in the next few years. The workshop positioned South Africa as one of the first countries ready to deliver a new generation of TB vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, including adolescents and adults. Ending 'slavery' of disease The minister expressed confidence that upcoming trials would yield positive results, potentially leading to a new vaccine for older age groups. TB remains a leading cause of death from infectious disease and a major contributor to poor health both locally and globally. 'Imagine the day when we announce the availability of the vaccine for tuberculosis,' he said, likening it to 'the day of true freedom from slavery' for those affected. Motsoaledi described the disease as a form of 'devastating slavery' that fuels poverty and premature death. 'South Africa is not waiting for the world to act. We are preparing – intentionally, early and inclusively.' Commitment to readiness The minister used the country's first national gathering on TB vaccine readiness to reaffirm South Africa's leadership in the global fight against TB and HIV. 'When South Africa wins against TB and HIV and Aids the world will win the war,' he said. He noted that throughout his tenure, he has sought to elevate TB on the global health agenda, recalling his 2018 address at the United Nations calling for world leaders to act. 'While global attention has often turned to emerging health threats, South Africa has remained focused on the enduring challenge of TB,' he said. He also acknowledged the devastating impact of TB on communities already battling HIV. Systems, trust and investment 'Today's discussions remind us that vaccine introduction is not just about science – it is about health systems. It is about trust. It is about readiness.' Motsoaledi emphasised the importance of preparing the health sector for the rollout, saying the agenda highlighted key areas such as evidence generation, delivery systems, and supply chain readiness. 'Investment in human life means everything,' he said, calling for strong financial backing and stakeholder support. He urged participants to build community trust and advocate for broad acceptance of the new vaccine. 'We must walk the path with our people,' he said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Motsoaledi urges innovation to end TB
Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has historically affected not just South Africa but also countries around the world. 'We are here because we believe that TB – a disease that has shaped the history and health of our country and indeed, the whole world – can be ended. Not through words alone, but through action, partnership, and innovation,' he said on Thursday. The Minister was delivering a keynote address at the country's TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop held in Johannesburg. The workshop is aimed at advancing policy and decision-making for the introduction of TB vaccines. Addressing policymakers, scientists and community leaders, Motsoaledi stated that the upcoming phase will introduce preventative TB vaccination measures, which will also enhance the ongoing fight against HIV and Aids. For over a century, South Africa has relied on the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine to protect its children from TB, but the Minister pointed out that there has been no tool that can protect adolescents and adults. 'These are the very groups most at risk of getting sick and transmitting TB.' With several new TB vaccine candidates in the late stages of clinical trials, the most promising options are expected to be available in the next few years. This workshop positioned the country as one of the first that is ready to deliver a new generation of TB vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, including adolescents and adults. The Minister expressed confidence that the upcoming clinical trials would yield positive results, potentially leading to a new vaccine for older age groups within the next few years. TB is a leading cause of death from an infectious disease and a major contributor to ill-health in South Africa and globally. 'Imagine the day when we announce the availability of the vaccine for tuberculosis,' he said, likening it to 'the day of true freedom from slavery' for those suffering from the disease. Motsoaledi described the disease as a form of 'devastating slavery' that exacerbates poverty and leads to premature death. 'South Africa is not waiting for the world to act. We are preparing – intentionally, early and inclusively.' The Minister has used the first national gathering dedicated to the TB vaccine readiness platform to reiterate South Africa's commitment to lead by example in the global fight against TB and HIV. 'When South Africa wins against TB and HIV and Aids the world will win the war,' he said. He told the attendees that through his tenure as Health Minister, he consistently sought to elevate the profile of TB on a global scale. Motsoaledi recalled his 2018 address at the United Nations, where he rallied for world leaders to commit to addressing the TB crisis. 'While global attention has often turned to emerging health threats, South Africa has remained focused on the enduring challenge of TB,' he said. He also acknowledged the disease's severe impact on communities already struggling with HIV. 'Today's discussions remind us that vaccine introduction is not just about science – it is about health systems. It is about trust. It is about readiness.' He also used the platform to emphasise the importance of preparing the health sector for the rollout of the TB vaccine. The agenda for the workshop highlighted key thematic areas crucial for readiness, including generating evidence for policy and investment, strengthening delivery systems for TB vaccines, and ensuring manufacturing and supply chain readiness. 'Investment in human life means everything,' he said, stressing the need for robust financial backing to ensure effective vaccine deployment. The Minister took the time to urge stakeholders to foster community trust and strong advocacy to ensure widespread acceptance of the TB vaccine upon its introduction. 'We must walk the path with our people,' he said. –
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
The journey from detection to protection: inside South Africa's hepatitis testing gaps
Egypt showed the world what's possible. Their national hepatitis C programme screened more than 60-million people and treated more than four million — all within five years. This was the result of a public health campaign that brought public and private partners together to inspire a nationwide commitment to eliminating the silent killer. South Africa has the tools, the partnerships and the healthcare workforce to do the same. So why haven't we? Part of the answer lies in awareness. In a recent survey, most South Africans said they didn't know hepatitis was a serious disease. Many had never been offered a test. The virus doesn't always present symptoms early, so it slips beneath the surface — undiagnosed, untreated and unspoken. But another part of the answer lies in how we design our health priorities. Testing for hepatitis still isn't fully integrated into existing services. For example, we've done critical work to normalise HIV testing — it's part of antenatal visits, school programmes, even workplace health drives. Hepatitis should be just as visible. It should be part of every antenatal screening, every STI check-up, every blood drive. Testing for one virus shouldn't mean ignoring others. There's also a missed opportunity in our corporate and community health environments. The burden of hepatitis doesn't stop at the clinic door. Chronic liver disease affects productivity, health budgets and family stability. While specific cost data is limited in South Africa, international evidence is clear: investing in integrated testing and early diagnosis reduces healthcare costs and improves lives. The World Health Organisation has set a goal: eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. To get there, South Africa must do three things: Normalise integrated testing for hepatitis B and C. Expand public education to match the scale of the risk. Mobilise partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society to scale up access. Hepatitis isn't rare. It isn't untreatable. And it isn't too late. But every day we wait, we lose lives that could have been saved with a test. Let's not let silence stand in the way of protection. Let's make this the decade where South Africa turns detection into action — and action into health. Everyone deserves to get tested.
