North West province has set aside R14-million for laboratory tests to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) and get patients on treatment as soon as possible, the provincial health department said on Tuesday.
Acting departmental spokesperson Lesiba Molala said every month at least 2 100 new TB patients start treatment in the province.
”Of the patients who take their treatment exactly as prescribed for the whole duration of treatment [six to eight months], 90% or more are cured.”
But he said almost 30% of those who start treatment do not finish treatment.
The figure of 2 100 new patients starting treatment every month also includes former patients starting afresh.
About five cases of extensively drug-resistant TB have been confirmed and are being treated, while 289 patients with multidrug-resistant TB are also on treatment.
Molala said last week senior officials in the department visited Motswedi at the Lehurutshe village where they handed over nutritional food supplements to TB patients and encouraged them to complete their TB treatment.
In the Bophirima district, almost 400 new TB patients start treatment every month, he said. There are 58 cases of multidrug-resistant TB in this district.
Molala said infection-control measures have been taken to prevent the spread of infection. ”In most clinics and hospitals, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation units have been installed to curb the spread of TB.” — Sapa