Govt steps up drive to avert spread of extreme TB

Placards of TB awareness campaign

Government is stepping up its drive to prevent the spread of XDR and MDR TB in South Africa. This follows several incidences of escapes from hospitals of patients suffering from these contagious diseases.

It is adopting a two-pronged strategy: making life more comfortable for the patients and beefing up security. TB is the country's biggest killer disease, compounded by HIV/Aids. Multi and Extremely Drug-Resistant TB patients around the country have been protesting about being locked up in hospitals in conditions worse than some prisons. Some have even escaped, endangering those they come into contact with and missing out on their medication.

In the Eastern Cape alone, more than 100 XDR and MDR patients escaped from two hospitals to go home to family and friends over Christmas. Fearing a similar scenario at Easter, the government is both beefing up security and improving living conditions. According to the Eastern Cape Health MEC, plans are underway for all TB hospitals to be placed under government control.

Patient figures rising
Doctors say the XDR and MDR patient figures are increasing dramatically. Nomsa Jajula the Health MEC Eastern Cape says there are certain areas where you see the numbers increasing especially in Port Elizabeth and part of Amathole. Jajula says the reason is that they have got quite a number of people who take treatment irregularly and that make the situation worse.

The Health Department is supplying TB hospitals with sporting kits, satellite television, sewing machines and other items to make patients feel more comfortable and at home for the months they are forced to spend in them. Food and care are also being improved.