This month we are encouraging men to prioritise their health and to screen and test for TB, HIV and COVID-19. Men are more prone to risky behavior related to ill-health such as smoking and risky drinking and tend to delay visits to health facilities to monitor their health. Men and boys is a vulnerable group to ill-health, who need special healthcare services and attention from researchers, policymakers and practitioners in South Africa.

Dr Zweli Mkhize, South Africa's Minister of Health recommends the widespread use of cloth masks. The public should not wear medical masks – these are reserved as personal protective equipment for our healthcare workers who are on the front line of our battle against COVID-19. Hand-washing and social distancing remain the most important interventions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Visit our COVID-19 page for South Africa's latest regulations, FAQs and a real-time visualizer showing the global status of the virus. We will keep this page updated as new information is made available by the Government of South Africa. For more information: Call the COVID-19 Hotline: 0800 029 999 Send “hi” on WhatsApp to COVID-19 Connect: 060 012 3456 Visit the website www.sacoronavirus.co.za

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a global TB report every year since 1997. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, and of progress in the response to the epidemic, at global, regional and country levels, in the context of global commitments and strategies. In 2019, data were reported by 202 countries and territories that account for more than 99% of the world’s population and estimated number of TB cases.

Buddy Beat TB is an initiative of the USAID TB South Africa Project and aims to support pediatric MDR-TB patients and their parents. Part of the care package shared with the children and parents is a comic book that explains what MDR-TB is, how it affects children and how best to support a child through their treatment journey. This comic book has now been animated!