South Africa Calls for Strengthen Collaborations and Renewed Action at the 9th South African TB Conference
South Africa has made important progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), but the country is not yet winning the battle. TB remains one of the leading causes of death in South Africa, although there have been significant improvements in diagnosis, treatment access and prevention efforts over the past decade.
Prof Mohlopheni Marakalala, Unit Director at the South African Medical Research Council’s Centre for TB Research and also the Chairperson of the 9th South African Tuberculosis (TB) Conference, is calling for a stronger collaboration, innovation and African-led solutions in the continued fight against TB.
Prof Marakalala said the conference, taking place at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre from 8 – 11 June 2026, comes at a critical time as South Africa and the African continent continue to face a significant TB burden despite notable progress in diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
According to the National TB Recovery Plan, South Africa has made notable progress in controlling TB. Since 2015, TB incidence rate has declined by 57%, and treatment coverage has increased to 79%. However, TB-related deaths have only declined by 16%, and over half (56%) of TB-affected households still face catastrophic costs in accessing care. These disparities highlight the urgent need for improved treatment success rates, better financial protection, and stronger community-based support mechanisms. Overall, the trend is encouraging, but the country is not yet on a trajectory fast enough to meet elimination targets.
Hosted under the theme, “Vuka! Let’s unite towards a TB-free world!”, the 2026 conference will bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, civil society and community stakeholders to advance efforts towards ending TB.
“While scientific advances, policy reforms and community-based interventions have brought us closer to our goals, much work still needs to be done,” said Prof Marakalala.
He noted that South Africa continues to face challenges including HIV and TB co-infection, drug-resistant TB, poverty, stigma, delayed diagnosis and healthcare funding pressures. He emphasised the importance of strengthening prevention strategies, expanding community screening, investing in local research and addressing the social conditions that continue to drive the epidemic.
The conference programme will feature tracks in Basic and Clinical Science, Epidemiological and Operational Research, as well as Patient and Civil Society Mobilisation and Advocacy.
Prof Marakalala further stressed that recent global financial cuts affecting public health should motivate Africa to take greater leadership in addressing local health challenges.
“We cannot let this crisis go to waste. This is a call for us to rise together and show resilience as we march towards an envisioned TB-free world,” he said.
The conference is expected to foster collaboration and inspire collective action towards eliminating TB.