The MEC for Health in province, Mr Mxolisi Sokatsha, will roll-out the first phase of the Kick TB Campaign in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District during the week of 15-19 August 2011. The Kick TB Campaign was launched by the Minister of Health in 24 March 2010 in support of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The Member of the Executive Council, Mr MS Sokatsha launched the Kick TB Campaign in the Northern Cape on the 24 March 2010 in the Pixley ka Seme District.Asics Onitsuka Tiger Schools from the Frances Baard and Pixley ka Seme district participated in this event.

The campaign was then rolled out to all 5 districts and an estimated 6200 learners in 12 municipalities in the Northern Cape were reached.

This first phase of the campaign (2010-2012) will continue targeting primary school learners between the ages of 5 and 13 years. Nationally, special attention is given to schools in the 18 priority districts identified by the Department of Health for accelerated interventions and TB hotspots of which John Taolo Gaetsewe District in the Northern Cape is one of them.

Seven(7) Primary schools in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District will be targeted during the week. Other targets are educators, particularly in the selected schools, family members, parents, siblings and friends of the participating learners.

The campaign aims to raise awareness with the following objectives namely increase TB case detection at community level, increase knowledge of TB, Dispel common myths that contributes to stigmatization of TB, promote behavioral change required to prevent TB infection and increase TB treatment adherence. The Kick TB Campaign also acts as another vehicle to actively intensify TB case finding. Learners will be provided with road to health cards with signs and symptoms of TB.

We call upon the primary school learners and communities of Kuruman and Tzaneen(16/08), Dingleton and Olifantshoek(17/08), Bankara and Mothibistad(18/08) and Sishen(19/08) to support the campaign and empower themselves regarding TB to ensure we build healthy communities.

Working together, we can do more!

Enquiries:
Andrid F. Scholtz
Ministerial Spokesperson
Tel : 053 830 2000
Cell: 0824479696
Fax: 053 8331925
E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Issued by: Ministry of Health

Northern Cape Province
15 August 2011