Boosting TB Awareness

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - With World Tuberculosis Day held this week, local community health activist and 10-time TB survivor Noleen Dirkse joined hands with the Western Cape Department of Health (DoH) to raise awareness of the disease.

World TB Day is observed every year on 24 March, and is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease.

Having battled the disease on numerous occasions, World TB Day is a matter close to Dirkse's heart, which is why on 18 March she got together with the DoH's TB coordinator, Margie Wacher, to hold a brief event at the Hornlee Community Centre.

"The event that took place, is to create TB awareness in and around the area of Knysna and the Garden Route," Dirkse said. "The aim of the event is to carry important information to the community about what tuberculosis is, what the signs of tuberculosis are, and the treatment options for tuberculosis as well as the importance of completing the treatment."

The event was in the form of a short information session which was filmed and uploaded onto social media on World TB Day. According to DoH spokesperson Nadia Ferreira, they urge people to continue fighting TB.

"We encourage patients to continue with their TB treatment, even now during Covid-19 where we see less people accessing service for chronic health conditions," she said.

"TB can be cured and we urge patients who suspect that they might have TB to visit their local health facility. If you are on treatment, please finish your treatment. If you have not taken your medication, please visit your nearest clinic as soon as possible."

From left are Florence Hetjies, Dirkse's mother and a retired nurse, alongside community health activist Noleen Dirkse, and Knysna HAST coordinator Margie Wacher. Photo: Blake Linder