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South Africa: Private Sector Urged to Help Fight TB in the Workplace
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
2 July 2008
Posted to the web 2 July 2008
Gabi Khumalo
Durban
The private sector has been challenged to work in partnership with government to help fight Tuberculosis (TB) in the workplace.
Speaking at the South African TB Conference underway in Durban, Alex Govender, Head of Health Services at VW South Africa said there was a need for the private sector to establish workplace programmes for TB.
"Through workplace programmes, employees with TB symptoms can be referred to the nearest health facility for diagnosis to prevent the spread of TB to other employees," Mr Govender said.
He said during 2002 and 2007, the majority of patients diagnosed and managed at the medical centre in their company had increased to 78 percent.
There was an excellent cure rate of 93 percent during the reported period.
He said some people had also joined the company's incapacity and disability programme.
With the programme, employees come for Voluntary Counselling and Testing and those found to be infected with TB, receive treatment on arrival at work.
In controlling the spread of the disease, the company did not allow employees to enter the plant if they did not take their treatment for the day.
He said by preventing them from entering the plant before taking treatment was not to discriminate against them but protect other employees from being infected.
"On trying to enter the plant before taking their medication in the morning, we give them a slip notifying them to go to the clinic and contact a counsellor who then enquires about their reason for not taking the medication."
According to counsellors most patients stop taking treatment because they say they feel better and do not need it.
Mr Govender also emphasised the importance of Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), adding that other industries should follow the example and practice it on site.
He said the support should not end only with employees but should be extended to the communities and families they live with.
"We train peer educators through health and wellness co-ordination by giving out pamphlets, which they take home for their families to read and also visit the communities including shebeens to empower them with information.
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"The programme has made a huge impact in reducing the TB stigma. Government cannot do it alone, the private sector also needs to participate," Mr Govender said.
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