Yes, we can eradicate tuberculosis in South Africa

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major killer in South Africa (SA), responsible for 40 542 deaths in 2013[1] and with an estimated incidence of 450 000 per year. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eradicate the disease by 2035, and the first milestones in the process of eradication are to reduce the 2015 deaths and incidence by 35% and 20%, respectively, by 2020. The last indicator is to reduce the deaths by 95% by 2030. Are the WHO indicators achievable for SA? The answer is unequivocally in the affirmative, and for the following reasons.