The Humanitas Care Foundation recently held its first National TB Awareness campaign on March 24, with the aim of creating awareness around tuberculosis and the potential risks of contracting the virus.

“Through creating awareness, we hope to break the stigma attached to TB. It is a serious public health issue in South Africa and is the country’s leading cause of death. About 89,000 people die from it every year; that’s ten people every hour,” read a statement by the foundation.

Events were held at the women’s correctional facility at Pollsmoor Prison, The Sun Village Complex in Rustenburg and Polokwane.

“Our volunteer staff chatted to the participants to encourage them to get tested so they can know their status and can take responsibility for their health and potentially the health of others. Our nursing team conducted the screenings and TB tests and our major funder and partner, Hamadi Labs, processed the TB test results.

“We would not have been able to make such a success of this event, were it not for the donations received from Hamadi Labs, Assign Services, The e’Pap Foundation, the SAPS, Sun Village Complex and Tsholetsanang Investment Project.”

The foundation commended their team of volunteers and nursing staff for all their efforts in making the day a success.

“We hope to grow from strength to strength to be able to reach more people across more provinces with next year’s event.”