About Us

Tuberculosis (TB) is a fully treatable and curable disease however it is still South Africa’s most common infectious diseases and one of the major killers of young adults. Additionally the treatment success rates in South Africa are not reaching the global targets. The issue of TB is severe in this country due to impact of poverty, and the high HIV prevalence influences the incidence of TB.

Particular focus is being drawn to controlling TB in HIV positive patients. This is because it is estimated that HIV positive patients are up to 50 times more likely to suffer from active TB than HIV negative patients. The prevalence of HIV in adult TB patients (15-49 yrs) is as high as 60%.

There is also the growing problem of multi-drug resistant and XDR-TB. These forms of TB are difficult and expensive to treat.

It is clear that TB prevention, treatment and care are important areas of disease control predominantly in South Africa.

TB/HIV Care Association is a NPO that aims to improve TB management by increasing access to TB and HIV diagnosis, care, treatment and community-based adherence support. We have focussed specifically on the challenges associated with undiagnosed and untreated TB, HIV and STIs. By addressing these challenges we aim to decrease morbidity and mortality, decrease transmission, and improve clinical response. Our integrated approach to addressing both TB and HIV issues has proved the organisation to be a pioneer in implementing a parallel system of support for TB & HIV clients.

Vision
An environment free of TB and HIV

Mission
We commit ourselves to empower communities by facilitating and providing treatment support, preventative, diagnosis, and rehabilitative services for TB and HIV clients.

Objectives

• To prevent new HIV and TB infections.
• To improve the diagnosis, care and adherence support for TB patients and people affected by HIV.
• To build the capacity of individuals and organisations to provide optimal TB and HIV prevention and care
• To participate in research and develop monitoring and evaluation systems to improve TB and HIV prevention and care.

History
TB Care Association was originally founded as ‘The Nelspoort After Care Committee’ in March 1929. Its purpose was to provide support to TB sufferers and their families in Cape Town. The aims were to find employment for patients after their discharge from Sanatoria; to support the families of the hospitalised TB patients and to ensure that the children were cared for. This focus on care for the TB patient remains the core business of the organisation. TB Care along with FOSA (Friends of the Sick Association); the Toc H; Society for the Prevention of Consumption; the Christmas Stamp Fund to name but a few were founder members of the South African National TB Association established in 1945.

In 1992 in partnership with the Community Health Association of Southern Africa (CHASA) we embarked on the first community based TB treatment support programme. The World Health Organisation had advocated that TB treatment was to be administered daily under supervision. Rigid clinic hours was one of the barriers of good treatment compliance and the community based DOT(Directly Observed Treatment) made it possible for patients to access their treatment in a supportive environment on the street where they live from a specially trained lay health worker.

With the advent of Antiretroviral Treatment TB Care expanded its role to include community based support for patients with HIV. TB Care Association through its community based careers currently provides support to approximately 5000 clients in 7 of the 8 sub-districts in the City of Cape Town.

In 2007 we were awarded a PEPFAR grant administered through the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Project Integrate is an extension of the TB Care programme and aims to integrate TB and HIV care.