City of Cape Town extends their gratitude to Targeted Universal Testing as TB testing skyrockets. World TB Day is observed on March 24, 2025. This year also, the City Health reflected on the impact of Targeted Universal Testing (TUTT) and its commitment to end tuberculosis through enhanced prevention, early detection and strengthened adherence support and working with other city departments, provincial government, civil society and the communities in addressing the social determinants of both TB and HIV.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that TB is the world’s deadliest infectious disease with devastating health, social and economic consequences.
Higham cleared that the good news is that the treatment and cure for this is available, and the disease is preventable. Treatment for multi drug resistant TB has also been reduced to six months now, with the use of new and safer drugs. By working together, they can stop the spread and ensure healthier families and communities.
Moreover, theme for year 2025 is ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver’ – a call for hope, urgency and accountability. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified a significant gap between the estimated number of people at a global level, who fall ill with TB and the number of newly diagnosed people.
As per the reports, 43,454 people were tested for TB at City Health Facilities in the 2023 calendar year, where 17% tested positive for the disease. Further in 2024, a number of tests increased by 61% to 69,938 with 12% testing positive, following the implementation of Targeted Universal testing for TB (TUTT), which is the testing process of asymptomatic vulnerable individuals in communities.
The City Health has reaffirmed its commitment to end tuberculosis and aims to focus on key priorities this year that will drive progress in TB care.
Considering this, Councillor Francine Higham added to her statement that those who are diagnosed, are now able to improve the health of their families and neighbours. They recognise the people who break through the stigma and have themselves tested for TB. The success of a TB programme depends on community leadership, civil society action and cross-sector collaboration.