Western Cape records nearly 40,000 TB tests in one month, strengthening early detection, expanding community healthcare access, and accelerating progress toward ending tuberculosis through partnerships and prevention.
Ahead of World TB Day, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has achieved its highest-ever monthly TB testing figure, with close to 40,000 people tested in February 2026 alone.
The increase signals a major acceleration in the province’s strategy to detect tuberculosis early and connect patients to treatment sooner. Between 2023 and 2025, the number of annual TB tests rose significantly from 207,496 to 356,331 – an increase of nearly 150,000 tests within two years.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger emphasised that improving access to care remains central to the province’s public health strategy.
“As a government, we are committed to ensuring that every person, especially the most vulnerable among us, can live with dignity, access the care they need and build lives they truly value. TB is preventable and curable, and no one should be left behind because of where they live or their circumstances,” said Wenger.
Bringing healthcare closer to communities
As part of World TB Day commemorations, a flagship event in Caledon brought together more than 3,000 people, including healthcare professionals, partners and community members, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in tackling TB.
Under the theme “Yes, you and I can beat TB”, outreach initiatives took screening and education directly into communities across the province. Activities included awareness walkathons, screening drives in Khayelitsha and Eerste River, and health education programmes at schools and community centres in Kraaifontein.
Healthcare teams extended services beyond clinics, engaging residents at taxi ranks, farms, places of worship and local halls, ensuring that testing and information are accessible to people where they live and work.
Integrated care improving health outcomes
Between April 2025 and February 2026, more than 48,000 people were diagnosed with TB in the Western Cape. Nearly half of these cases occurred among young adults aged 25 to 44 – individuals in their most economically active years.
Approximately 90% of diagnosed patients began treatment, demonstrating strong linkage-to-care systems, although health authorities continue working to ensure that every diagnosed patient starts and completes treatment successfully.
The Western Cape’s integrated care model brings TB and HIV services together, recognising the close relationship between the two diseases and simplifying access to healthcare for patients.
TB screening is prioritised for vulnerable groups visiting public healthcare facilities, including newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients, pregnant women living with HIV, and individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy.
According to Minister Wenger, integrated, people-centred care helps strengthen the broader health system while improving individual outcomes.
“Our approach in the Western Cape is to move beyond siloed programmes and towards integrated, community-based care. By combining TB and HIV services, we improve access and strengthen the overall health system,” she said.
Partnerships driving social impact
Initiatives such as the Close the Gap and End TB campaigns highlight the role of collaboration between government, civil society, private sector partners and communities in addressing one of South Africa’s most pressing public health challenges.
From a social impact and ESG perspective, expanded TB testing demonstrates how coordinated healthcare strategies can improve quality of life, reduce inequality and strengthen economic participation by supporting healthier communities.
According to Statistics South Africa, TB remains the fifth leading natural cause of death in South Africa. Among young men aged 15 to 24, TB is the leading underlying natural cause of death, underscoring the importance of prevention, early detection and treatment adherence.
A shared commitment to ending TB
The Western Cape’s increased testing rates reflect a growing commitment to proactive public health strategies that prioritise early intervention and community engagement.
Health authorities continue to encourage residents to seek care early and remain on treatment, reinforcing the message that TB is preventable, treatable and beatable when communities and healthcare systems work together.
“Know your status, stay on treatment, and remember that together, we can beat TB,” Wenger concluded.
