The forced isolation or incarceration of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) will be in the spotlight at a workshop titled Current Practices, Controversies and Clinical Challenges, in the Faculty of Health Sciences from 3 to 5 September.

Valid medical concerns about risks to the community have to be weighed up against the ethical and legal human rights ramifications of enforced isolation of an individual, and the availability of resources. This controversial issue is expected to spark animated debate.

Other topics on the programme include the evolution and epidemiology of drug-resistant TB in South Africa, diagnosis of the disease using current tools, and drugs, and treatment regimes for infected adults and children.

Pulmonologist Associate Professor Keertan Dheda, one of the organisers of the event, said: "I believe that drug-resistant TB is one of the biggest health threats facing the African continent. It has the potential to destabilise an already compromised TB control system in South Africa." He added: "Consistent failure to identify and administer appropriate treatment for tuberculosis (TB) cases means that a growing number of TB-infected South Africans are burdening an already strained health care system."

This is one of the findings of a review of the current situation. The review, co-authored by Dheda, was published in the May 2010 issue of The Lancet and focused on developing countries.

The workshop concludes on Sunday, 5 September 2010, with the closing address delivered by Western Cape MEC for Health, Theuns Botha.