The Documentary Podcast South Africa and the fight against TB
Jan 6, 2026
Renée Goliath, a Senior Research Manager at the CIDRI and former pediatric nurse, shares critical insights into South Africa's fight against tuberculosis (TB). She discusses the significant TB burden and the advanced research ecosystem tackling the disease. Renée highlights the impact of U.S. funding withdrawals on local trials, while also addressing the challenges patients face, including stigma and long treatment regimens. The conversation underscores the urgent need for renewed support to ensure continued innovation in TB care and research.
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Garden Shed Cough Lab
- Dandelene records coughs inside a soundproof garden shed to help train a TB‑screening app developed by Stellenbosch University.
- The recordings are sent to engineers who analyse cough sounds to triage patients for further testing.
Why South Africa Is Critical For TB Research
- South Africa pairs a high TB burden with a sophisticated scientific ecosystem that enables rapid, impactful clinical trials.
- This combination makes the country crucial for developing TB treatments, vaccines and diagnostics.
US Funding Cuts Disrupted Research
- Multiple US funding cuts since 2025 abruptly reduced support for South African TB research and related health services.
- The withdrawals forced trials to pause, caused staff anxiety, and threatened participant care continuity.