Miners are often exposed to silica dust, live in poor conditions and have limited access to healthcare. All these factors have contributed to Southern Africa’s mining sector having the highest level of TB infections on the continent.
Averaging more than 591 cases per 100 000 people, the region has far higher rates compared to the global average, which stands at 126 cases per 100 000 people. In an effort to address this, the South African government has launched the new five-year National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs.
According to a Mining Review Africa report, the plan draws upon the vision of the UN’s programme of zero new HIV infections, zero preventable deaths associated with HIV as well as zero discrimination connected to the disease.
It also leverages the WHO’s goals for reducing TB incidents and mortality by scaling up successes, while introducing new strategies to prevent new infections, identify infected people sooner and successfully treat them.
