BONELA shocked at deportation reversal

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Thursday September 4, 2008 00:00

Sibanda, a Zimbabwean national suffering from Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB), made news headlines recently when he took the government to court on medical grounds.

Sibanda subsequently reached an agreement with the state and he was removed from the prison's clinic to Princess Marina Hospital.

Media and Advocacy Officer, Doris Kumbawa, says BONELA is disappointed with this decision because Sibanda has resigned himself to death when his disease is curable.
'BONELA has established that there is no Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) treatment in Zimbabwe, a fact Sibanda himself is aware of, and that the public health delivery system in that country has collapsed,' Kumbawa revealed.

She pointed out that the development poses the risk of MDR TB finding its way back in Botswana, uncontrolled, unmonitored and opening a wide door for Extreme Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB). 

Kumbawa emphasised the need to respect Sibanda's decision adding that it was based on the harsh reality of being in confinement for treatment for a period of two years. 'This means he is unable to meet his socio-economic obligations to his family,' Kumbawa said.

She called for adequate measures to ensure that Sibanda's deportation does not pose a risk to both Botswana and Zimbabwe, 'because TB is a communicable disease and there is high mobility between the two country'.

Furthermore, Kumbawa called for transparency and sustainability on how to deal with future cases, as they is a clear need to balance between human rights and public health considerations.

'There is evidence of negligence and medical malpractice as Sibanda's medical records reveal that he received conflicting HIV diagnoses and his doctor 'forgot' to include Amicacin from Sibanda's treatment regime, making him vulnerable to resistance in the future.