treatment
23 January 2007
The issue of confinement of extreme drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB)
patients if they don't agree to be treated has been discussed with the Medical
Research Council of South Africa (MRC) and globally with the World Health
Organisation (WHO).
The issue at stake is the human rights of the individual vs. the human right
of the public.
All measures to control and manage XDR TB have been considered. Of paramount
importance is the early diagnosis and treatment of multi drug resistant (MDR)
and XDR patients, as well as preventing those factors that lead to infectious
TB, such as poverty, poor housing, overcrowding and poor nutrition and any
other factors that weaken the patients' resistance to acquiring infections.
Strengthening of infection control measures in health institutions, in the
workplace and at home to prevent airborne infections of TB as well as ensuring
adherence to TB treatment is also important.
We recognised the need to separate patients with MDR and XDR to prevent the
spread of the infection. While holding XDR TB patients against their will is
not ideal, the issue may have to be considered in the interest of the public.
Legal comment on the issue as well as sourcing the opinion of the human rights
groups is important.
Professor Ronnie Green-Thompson
Special Advisor
For more information, please contact:
Charity Bhengu
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: (012) 312 0420
Issued by: Department of Health
23 January 2007
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za/)
