- The World Health Organization says tuberculosis killed thousands of people in South Africa during 2024 because of dangerous working conditions.
- Health expert Professor Muzimkhulu Zungu wants the government, employers and workers to work together to protect staff from the disease.
South African workers are getting very sick and dying from tuberculosis because of the jobs they do.
The World Health Organization says 249,000 people in South Africa got tuberculosis in 2024. About 54,455 people died from the disease.
These high numbers show the country must do more to stop the illness from spreading in workplaces.
Some jobs are much more dangerous than others. Healthcare workers and mine workers get the disease the most.
Studies show there were 1,496 cases of tuberculosis for every 100,000 healthcare workers. In nearby communities, there were only 719 cases for every 100,000 people.
Mine workers breathe in silica dust. This gives them a lung disease called silicosis. Having silicosis makes it much easier for them to catch tuberculosis.
Professor Muzimkhulu Zungu works for the National Institute for Occupational Health. He says people who work informal jobs are also at high risk.
These workers spend their days in crowded spaces with very little protection. They do not get health checks or paid time off when they get sick.
He says this means they find out they are sick too late. The disease spreads to others and treatment does not work well.
Tuberculosis costs families a lot of money. Sick people lose their pay and have to spend money on healthcare. This pushes many families deeper into poverty.
Zungu wants the government, employers and workers to fight the disease together. He says the country needs better tracking systems and workplace health programmes.
The National Institute for Occupational Health is part of the National Health Laboratory Service. The group continues to lead research and support rules to protect workers.
Pictured above: South African workers face high risks of tuberculosis in their workplaces
Image source: Pexels
