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'Manto must do more'
Saturday October 14, 2006 11:54 - (SA)
Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang must do more to manage the outbreak of extremely-drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) and try to come up with a combat plan, Doctors For Life (DFL) International said.
"The outbreak of XDR-TB in various provinces in SA demands bold action by Dr Tshabalala-Msimang and DFL strongly urges the minister to decisively manage this threat," said DFL spokesman Tseliso Nkuebe in a statement.
He said appropriate action to deal with the outbreak would include temporary isolation wards, proper ventilation in wards to reduce cross-infection and allowing international health agencies like the World Health Organisation and the Centres for Disease Control to investigate the nature and extent of the disease.
Nkuebe said a slow and inappropriate response to the outbreak by the minister would be judged critically by the public and health professionals.
"This outbreak of XDR-TB should be handled in a bold, professional manner. It does not include secrecy or inaction," he said.
Provinces affected by the outbreak included Gauteng, Free State, North West, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Thus far, 78 people have died.
Sapa
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/s...160819697.aspx
Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang must do more to manage the outbreak of extremely-drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) and try to come up with a combat plan, Doctors For Life (DFL) International said.
"The outbreak of XDR-TB in various provinces in SA demands bold action by Dr Tshabalala-Msimang and DFL strongly urges the minister to decisively manage this threat," said DFL spokesman Tseliso Nkuebe in a statement.
He said appropriate action to deal with the outbreak would include temporary isolation wards, proper ventilation in wards to reduce cross-infection and allowing international health agencies like the World Health Organisation and the Centres for Disease Control to investigate the nature and extent of the disease.
Nkuebe said a slow and inappropriate response to the outbreak by the minister would be judged critically by the public and health professionals.
"This outbreak of XDR-TB should be handled in a bold, professional manner. It does not include secrecy or inaction," he said.
Provinces affected by the outbreak included Gauteng, Free State, North West, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Thus far, 78 people have died.
Sapa
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/s...160819697.aspx