TB can be managed
THE month of March also focuses on TB Awareness and how it is no longer a death sentence. The national theme for the country is 'Invest in Action to End TB Now!' and the tagline is 'Get Screened. End Stigma. Save Lives'. Although progress has been made in recent years in the reduction of TB cases and mortality rate, the disease remains a public health threat. The KwaZulu Natal Province is considered the most affected together with the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and the Western Cape. The Head of eThekwini Municipality's Health Unit, Rose Van Heerden said despite the highest burden, but the TB treatment outcomes show definite progressive improvement. The COVID-19 pandemic also severely impacted on the control of TB and the restrictions increased the number of undiagnosed patients. The eThekwini District has identified 5 high transmission informal setllements considered geographically as priorities which include Malukazi, Inanda, Bester, Amatikwe and Tshelimnyama to increase case finding and identification of TB contacts and refer those diagnosed positive to clinics for initiation of treatment. As a means to ensure adherence to treatment, the district has TB/HIV Outreach Teams. Their function is to visit households to provide injections and supervise that patients take their medication. The municipality is appealing to the public to get screened and tested for TB as there may be undetected cases. Those who test positive are urged not to delay receiving medical care.
What is the link between TB and COVID-19?
People with TB may have a weak immune system and may be at risk of getting infected with COVID-19.
- If you have TB, you are also at risk of suffering more severe symptoms from COVID-19. The risk is even higher if you are HIV positive or diabetic.
- Symptoms of TB and Covid-19 are similar (cough, fever, night sweats) however symptoms of Covid-19 start suddenly. Sore throat, nausea and vomiting, and loss of smell and taste are associated with Covid-19 and not TB.
- Both are transmitted by droplets (coughing and sneezing) but Covid-19 is also found on surfaces, and is more contagious than TB.
- TB is treated with 6 months of antibiotics, while there is no current treatment for Covid-19.
Why is TB treatment important especially during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- People with lung damage, such as people with TB, or those with weak immune systems, including those with poorly controlled HIV, may suffer from more severe forms of COVID-19 if infected.
- Treating TB improves the body's ability to fight other infections, like COVID-19.
Visit any municipal clinic and get screened for TB today!
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Clean water is a Basic Human right
THE month of March is both Water month and Human Rights month. The provision of clean fresh water is one of the basic Human Rights everyone should enjoy. It is often said that Water is Life, which is why we need to conserve it all the time. South Africa is amongst the 30 most dry countries in the world. Hence, the importance of using wise ways of conserving water at any home. These simple ways include, but are not limited to, the following ways:
- Only flush the toilets when it is absolutely necessary.
- Collect rain-water for watering the gardens.
- Use the shower instead of bathing and limit this action to 2 minutes.
- Do not leave the taps running while brushing your teeth.
- Do not use hosepipes as they consume large amounts of water.
- Ensure that children do not play with the hose/s and sprinklers and reward them for conserving water.
- Do not water plants, fill swimming pools or wash cars with the tap water but instead use water that comes from the rainwater tanks.
- If you do have rainwater tanks, use this water wherever possible in the home.
- Turn off the water while shaving.
- Designate one glass or bottle for your drinking water a day so you do not have to keep washing them.
- Check your home and premises for water leaks and learn how to use your water meter to check for leaks.
- Keep a close eye on your water bill to help spot leaks (and wasted money)
- If you wash dishes by hand, do not leave the water running for rinsing.
- Soak pots and pans instead of running the tap while you scrape them.
By saving water, consumers are similarly able to save money by bringing their water bills down. In public places, individuals are encouraged to report leaks, burst pipes and illegal connections. Changing water consumption patterns and behaviours now, will help manage the limited water resources in and for the future.
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Turning waste into cash
RECYCLING is a process of collecting and processing material that would otherwise be thrown away as waste and turning it into new products.
WHY RECYCLE?
- Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills
- Protect the environment
- Helps create jobs
- Promote the re-use of resources
BUY-BACK AND COMMUNITY DROP OFF CENTRES.
The municipality has established Buy back and Community drop off centres which are used for recycling purposes.
Buy-Back Centres are operated by a licensed commercial recycler where individual waste collectors and street waste pickers can sell their recyclable waste. Here are Buy-Back Centres in eThekwini where residents can ''sell'' their recyclables
