What is TB, and how does it spread in the workplace?
TB is a bacterial infection that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. In shared workspaces like warehouses, retail floors, or distribution centres, prolonged close contact increases the risk of transmission. Symptoms can be subtle at first – a persistent cough, night sweats, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. Left undetected, TB progresses, becomes harder to treat, and creates the kind of prolonged absence that disrupts operations.
The business case for early detection
A single undetected TB case can create significant operational disruption, from managing infection control requirements to handling absenteeism and maintaining team morale. The good news is TB is treatable, and early detection makes a real difference. After just two weeks of effective treatment, individuals are no longer infectious and can safely return to work.
Individuals with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or HIV, and those who smoke or consume high levels of alcohol, carry a higher TB risk. Helping members manage these conditions effectively is itself a meaningful way to reduce the risk of TB and other conditions, and an important part of any holistic healthcare approach.
How CGMS helps: Tools that work in the real world
The Universal.one App gives CGMS members practical, easy-to-use tools for managing their health proactively.
uHealthChat™ allows members to get immediate guidance on symptoms from anywhere, with 24/7 access to professional nursing advice, helping clarify next steps. Furthermore, the option to use uConsult™ connects members with GPs through secure digital consultations, increasing access to care that may otherwise require missing work or paying out of pocket. Through these platforms, members can be swiftly directed to appropriate screening, enabling early intervention when treatment is most effective.
Once treatment has commenced, the Personal Health Assistant (PHA) feature supports members in managing chronic conditions day-to-day with personalised medication reminders and health resources tailored to their needs. When chronic conditions are well managed, overall health is better protected.
Prevention is a business strategy
A preventative healthcare strategy that supports early detection and chronic condition management can significantly improve workplace stability. The costs of inaction, on the other hand, include productivity losses, absenteeism, recruitment and training expenses, and potential reputational risk.
CGMS equips your teams with the digital tools to seamlessly integrate proactive care into your everyday medical scheme member experience, enabling better prevention, earlier detection, and more effective healthcare management.
Ready to get started? Download the Universal.one App and explore uHealthChat™, uConsult™, and the Personal Health Assistant today.
References:
- World Health Organisation (2025). Global Tuberculosis Report 2025. Geneva: WHO.