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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are here because we believe that TB \u2013 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,\u201c he said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Minister was delivering a keynote address at the country\u2019s TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop held in Johannesburg. The workshop is aimed at advancing policy and decision-making for the introduction of TB vaccines.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For over a century, South Africa has relied on the Bacille Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin (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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the very groups most at risk of getting sick and transmitting TB.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
TB is a leading cause of death from an infectious disease and a major contributor to ill-health in South Africa and globally.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine the day when we announce the availability of the vaccine for tuberculosis,\u201d he said, likening it to \u201cthe day of true freedom from slavery\u201d for those suffering from the disease.<\/p>\n
Motsoaledi described the disease as a form of \u201cdevastating slavery\u201d that exacerbates poverty and leads to premature death.<\/p>\n
\u201cSouth Africa is not waiting for the world to act. We are preparing \u2013 intentionally, early and inclusively.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minister has used the first national gathering dedicated to the TB vaccine readiness platform to reiterate South Africa\u2019s commitment to lead by example in the global fight against TB and HIV.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen South Africa wins against TB and HIV and Aids the world will win the war,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He told the attendees that through his tenure as Health Minister, he consistently sought to elevate the profile of TB on a global scale.<\/p>\n
Motsoaledi recalled his 2018 address at the United Nations, where he rallied for world leaders to commit to addressing the TB crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile global attention has often turned to emerging health threats, South Africa has remained focused on the enduring challenge of TB,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also acknowledged the disease\u2019s severe impact on communities already struggling with HIV.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s discussions remind us that vaccine introduction is not just about science \u2013 it is about health systems. It is about trust. It is about readiness.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also used the platform to emphasise the importance of preparing the health sector for the rollout of the TB vaccine.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cInvestment in human life means everything,\u201d he said, stressing the need for robust financial backing to ensure effective vaccine deployment.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must walk the path with our people,\u201d he said. \u2013\u00a0SAnews.gov.za<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=291"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":293,"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291\/revisions\/293"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecmessenger.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}