control
12 February 2007
The Department of Health notes the media reports attributed to the Public
Library of Science with regard to the further measures to control Extreme Drug
Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB).
The organisation is reportedly proposing that there should be TB "infection
monitoring at South Africa's airports and border posts and the isolation of
patients - even against their will."
The Department of Health is working with local and international
stakeholders and experts including the South African Medical Research Council
and the World Health Organisation to address the challenge of XDR-TB. We would
like to encourage the Public Library of Science to join in this partnership and
table its suggestions for interrogation by all concerned partners in TB
control.
All provinces have been able to trace cases of XDR-TB. Patients understand
the need for hospitalisation and none of the XDR-TB patients have declined
treatment after appropriate counselling. The Department of Health appreciates
the positive spirit demonstrated by affected individuals particularly by
complying with treatment interventions available in the country.
At a regional level, South Africa convened the meeting of Southern African
Development Community (SADC) Health Ministers to discuss XDR-TB. Arising from
this meeting, SADC is developing an XDR-TB strategy, which should encompass a
sub-regional approach to the control of TB, inclusive of Multi-Drug and
Extreme-Drug Resistant TB. In the meantime, short-term measures are in place to
ensure proper referral of patients by improving communication among TB
programme managers in all countries in the region.
For further information, please contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Spokesperson for the Minister of Health
Cell: 082 772 0161
E-mail: MngadS@health.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health
12 February 2007
