Innovation in Action: Leading the Fight Against Childhood TB this Child Health Month
“Imagine the day when we announce the availability of the vaccine for tuberculosis… It will be the day of true freedom from slavery.” Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health
As South Africa marks Child Health Month this August under the theme “Healthy Children, Bright Futures”, the spotlight falls on one of the most persistent threats to our children’s well-being: tuberculosis (TB). Long considered a silent killer among the young, TB continues to claim countless lives, robbing our children of their futures and their communities of hope.
But 2025 has brought with it a surge of hope—a bold convergence of innovation, leadership, and breakthrough science that could change the game forever.
A Lifesaving Breakthrough in Diagnosing Childhood TB
One of the greatest challenges in paediatric healthcare has been accurately diagnosing TB in children, especially in rural or under-resourced areas.
Children, unlike adults, often cannot produce sputum, and their symptoms are easily misdiagnosed or missed. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 50% of childhood TB cases go undiagnosed—and for children under five, the situation is even more dire.
This year, a team of global researchers, including South African scientists from the University of Cape Town, identified a blood-based biosignature that allows for accurate TB detection using a tiny drop of blood. With over 90% sensitivity and 70% specificity, this test meets WHO standards and opens new doors for early, non-invasive diagnosis.
This breakthrough is a game-changer. It means health professionals—especially those in rural and community settings—can diagnose TB more reliably, start treatment earlier, and save thousands of young lives that might otherwise be lost to delay or misdiagnosis.
Vaccines on the Horizon: Freedom Within Reach
While innovation in diagnostics provides immediate relief, South Africa is also positioning itself at the forefront of long-term solutions to eradicate TB entirely. At a national TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop, held on 24 July 2025, Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi called for urgent action and investment in the development and delivery of next-generation TB vaccines, especially for adolescents and adults, the primary transmitters of the disease.
For over a century, we’ve relied on the BCG vaccine, which offers limited protection. Now, with several promising vaccine candidates nearing completion, the dream of a TB-free generation is not only possible, it is within reach. “We are not waiting for the world to act,” said Minister Motsoaledi. “South Africa is preparing, intentionally, early, and inclusively.”
Leading the change to protect our children.
As SAMDP, we recognise that the future of child health in South Africa depends not only on innovation, but also on the hands and hearts of our healthcare professionals. We call on our members to lead this moment with urgency and commitment through:
- Championing the use of new diagnostic tools in their practices and advocate for their inclusion in public healthcare systems.
- Supporting early screening of TB during child health assessments, school health days, and outreach clinics.
- Educating caregivers about the signs and risks of childhood TB, especially in communities burdened by poverty and co-infection with HIV.
- Promoting community trust and vaccine readiness by engaging openly, ethically, and consistently with the people you serve.
Early diagnosis is a step closer to a healthy future.
As we celebrate Child Health Month, let us remember: every vaccine delivered brings us closer to a bright tomorrow for all South Africa’s children. And every healthcare worker who stands up for progress is a champion of change.
Together, we can break the chains of TB. Together, we can build a South Africa where healthy children are not the exception, but the norm.
Let’s not wait. Let’s act, today.
