sanews - 3 days ago

Parliament joins global movement to eradicate TB The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, has signed the Barcelona Declaration on Tuberculosis (TB), which signifies South Africa’s formal commitment to a renewed global parliamentary movement aimed at eradicating TB within a generation. The declaration was co-signed by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, during a special signing ceremony in Parliament on Tuesday. In her speech at the ceremony, the Speaker reaffirmed Parliament’s leadership role in the fight against TB. She emphasised that despite being a treatable disease, TB continues to pose a significant health challenge worldwide. “To raise the level of awareness, parliamentarians across the globe decided to become a voice that mobilises society... by advocating for better investments by government in addressing the disease,” Didiza told MPs. She further highlighted Parliament’s commitment to mounting popular campaigns that highlight the importance of treating the disease and also complying with treatment for those who have the disease”. The signing ceremony coincided with the official launch of the South African TB Parliamentary Caucus, held in the presence of parliamentary peers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including the Chairpersons of Health Portfolio Committees from Lesotho and Zambia, who attended to demonstrate regional solidarity. The event also followed a statement in the National Assembly, presented by the Minister of Health, outlining government’s ongoing fight against the TB scourge. READ | Motsoaledi calls on MPs to lead the fight against TB The Barcelona Declaration, first adopted by international parliamentarians, recognises that TB has killed more people than any other infectious disease in human history and continues to claim 1.5 million lives annually. “It calls for the disease to be treated as a global political priority, demanding accelerated progress, investment in research, and equitable access to diagnosis and treatment for all.” The declaration urges signatories to encourage governments to increase investments in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TB, while promoting affordable and accessible healthcare for all TB patients. It also calls on leaders to support research and innovation for new TB drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines. In addition, it emphasises the importance of integrating care for co-infections such as HIV and diabetes, and mobilising community and civil society participation to combat stigma and ensure treatment adherence. By signing the Declaration, the Parliament of South Africa joins a global parliamentary caucus that collaborates with the World Health Organisation, Global Fund, Stop TB Partnership, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, and other multilateral organisations to end the TB epidemic within a generation. The Speaker emphasised that the ceremony symbolises Parliament’s renewed commitment to health equity and global solidarity. She highlighted the need for activism by Members of Parliament on this matter and encouraged the TB Parliamentary Caucus to be a champion towards eradicating TB in the country and globally. In South Africa, TB has been the country’s leading cause of death for several years and continues to pose a significant public health threat. Despite significant progress, in 2023 alone, approximately 56 000 lives were lost to this disease. Didiza said the Barcelona Declaration represents both a national commitment and a continental responsibility, reaffirming that South Africa’s Parliament will remain a strong advocate for universal health access, regional collaboration, and community mobilisation against TB. – SAnews.gov.za Gabisile Thu, 10/30/2025 - 10:34 115 views

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