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South Africa: Faith Based Organisations Urged to Join TB Campaign
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
3 July 2008
Posted to the web 3 July 2008
Gabi Khumalo
Durban
Faith Based Organisations have been challenged to open their doors and take part in TB and HIV campaigns to prevent the spread of the diseases and offer support to infected people and their families.
Speaking to BuaNews on Wednesday during the South African TB Conference, Treatment Literacy Campaign Co-ordinator in Khayelitsha, Vatiswa KamKam said that while some churches had come on board in the fight against TB and HIV, some congregations still believed that such diseases could be cured only through prayer and distanced themselves from the issue.
"While we acknowledge the powers of prayer, we need to face reality on what is happening around us, we are living in another century with a number of illnesses and we can't turn a blind eye on what is happening," said Ms KamKam.
She added that some people infected with the disease went to church seeking support, which they sometimes did not get, due to the stigma still attached to TB and HIV.
"Instead of labeling and criticising, the churches need to open its doors and show support through counseling," Ms KamKam told BuaNews.
Ms KamKam, who is also living with HIV, said through the Treatment Literacy Campaign, door-to-door visits were made to communities such as Khayelitsha, where pamphlets are distributed with TB information.
She said while the organisation primarily focused on HIV and AIDS, they have realised the need to focus more on TB testing as the diseases go hand in hand.
"As HIV infected people, they need to know other opportunistic diseases, how they work with their system as well as their implications if they do not take treatment, hence we encourage them to complete the treatment," she said.
Ms KamKam said since the launch of the campaign in 2006, more people with TB symptoms had been identified by their family members and referred to clinics.
She said a task team has also been formed which consists of stakeholders as well as health workers, which meet twice a week to discuss challenges and formulate responses.
Furthermore, in spreading the message, a mural wall painting is being used as a tool to send messages.
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The wall carries TB and HIV information including emergency numbers for clinics and NGOs, she said.
Ahem I know many people all Christians who are working for organisations started buy Christians re aids etc.for free.
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