By Tendai Dhliwayo
JOHANNESBURG'S City Health Department, as part of commemorating World TB Day on Monday, 24 March, will host a range of activities in its citywide TB campaign.
"The campaign is aimed at mobilising communities to develop an understanding of TB so that once detected, prompt assistance can be sought," the department said.
"Dots (Directly Observed Treatment Short-course) cured me - it will cure you too," will be this year's slogan for World TB Day.
According to the department, Dots is a recommended five-point strategy for controlling the disease, and "is also recognised as the most effective way to cure TB, even among persons living with HIV".
Treatment for the disease is free at government clinics and TB sufferers need to complete a full course of treatment to ensure maximum recovery.
There are challenges associated with the treatment of the disease, said the deputy director of the Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Unit, Dr Baski Desai. "The difficulty is that persons usually stop taking medication when they start to feel better.
"A further difficulty is the stigma attached with TB and the perception that it is a disease of poverty. As a result, people would often not disclose to others that they are suffering from the disease," added Desai.
Below is a list of scheduled activities.
| REGION | DATE | AREA | ACTIVITY |
| 7, 25 & 27/02/03 | Randjiesfontein | Hotspot Campaign at Northriding Training School in Randjiesfontein | |
| 26-28/03/ 03 | Diepsloot | Door to Door Campaign in Diepsloot | |
| Leeukop Prison | Leeukop Prison: TB Day for prisoners | ||
| 23/03/03 | Boksburg Fun Walk: Volunteers & Staff will participate. Volunteers will be transported to Boksburg. | ||
| Region 3 | 18-27/03/03 | Randburg, Rosebank, Wynberg, Bryanston | TB Road show including drama show targeting Soup kitchens based at Faith Based Organisations and NGOs. |
| 23/03/03 | Randburg | Large group of 1000-1500 person will be addressed | |
| 17-31/03/03 | Sandton | Bill board flashing TB Messages every 4 minutes c/o Rivonia & Sandton Drive | |
| Region 4 | 19/03/03 | Windsor | Health education at SPAR Shopping Centre |
| 24/03/03 | Brixton | Health education at Brixton Shopping Centre | |
| 24, 28/03/03 | Riverlea area | Street campaign | |
| 28/03/03 | Westbury | Health education at Highgate Shopping Centre | |
| 28/03/03 | Florida | Health education at Florida Shopping Centre | |
| Region 5 | 24/03/03 | Matholeville | Launch of DOTS and recruitment of treatment supporters |
| 25/03/03 | Sol Plaatjies | Hotspot campaign | |
| 26/03/03 | Leratong Informal Settlement | Hotspot campaign | |
| 27/03/03 | Plot 61 Informal Settlement Princess | Hotspot campaign | |
| 28/03/03 | Zandspruit | Hotspot campaign | |
| Region 6 | 17- 19/03/03 | Dobsonville Kliptown Protea South | Door to Door Campaign |
| 17-18 /03/03 | Primary Schools | Presentations on TB will be conducted in some primary schools | |
| 20 /03/03 | Protea South | Information stalls on TB, HIV/AIDS, EPI and Reproductive Health will be displayed at Protea Point Shopping Centre | |
| 24/03/03 | Dobsonville/ Klipspruit West/Jabulani | Educational Floats- commencing at Itireleng and Klipspruit West Clinics marching to Jabulani Civic Centre where people will assemble and different speakers will be presenting | |
| Region 7 | 14/03/03 | Mayibuye Shopping Centre | Health Education on TB . Exhibition Board once a week in all clinics, one-on-one health talks, answering of questions & distribution of pamphlets. Active tracing of defaulters |
| 05/05/03 | Pan Africa Shopping Centre | ||
| 14/03/03 | Mayibuye clinic Peoples centre | ||
| 18/03/03 | Alex FM | 11:00-12:00 | |
| Region 8 | 12/03/03 | Joubert Park | March from Hillbrow Recreation Centre and proceed to Joubert Park where various activities including sputum collection, speeches, distribution of pamphlets and education, drama on TB/HIV/AIDS, music and drum majorettes. |
| Region 9 | Satellite Clinics | Health talks[ Giving out pamphlets[ Audio Visuals Viewing[ Displaying Posters | |
| Denver Hostel Malvern Clinic | Stalls manned by Volunteers | ||
| Region 10 | March 03 | Eldorado Park Ext 2 & 3 | Mr & Mrs TB Ambassador Competition held at High schools (Ext 2 & 3) School pupils were requested to write a essay about what would their contribution be towards the prevention of TB should they become ambassadors. |
| 20/03/03 | Eldorado Park Ext 2 - 5 | Floats from Eldorado Park Ext 2 (Fire brigade) to Dawn Mateman Hall (Eldorado Park Ext 5) The Community will be addressed. TB drama and songs by Diepsloot Youth League. Prize giving of the competition held amongst High Schools. | |
| Region 11 | 14 March 2003 | Weilers Farm Clinic | Health talks Giving out pamphlets Audio Visuals Viewing Displaying Posters |
| 27 March 2003 | Lenasia Area | Factories will be visited where health education will be given | |
| 28 March 2003 | Ennerdale | Street campaign with drummies, targeting commuters at the railway station, shopping complexes, taxi ranks | |
| Lenasia South East & Ext 10 Clinics | Outreach to communities living in informal areas, shopping areas and tavern | s
