I must commend Sowetan for covering the harsh realities of extensively drug resistant (XDR) TB patients.

I must commend Sowetan for covering the harsh realities of extensively drug resistant (XDR) TB patients.

Very few have spoken out about it. While its dangers are largely covered, the gross human rights violations are not.

Human rights bodies have not said how they aim to take the issue forward and political organisations that speak about equal rights and human dignity have not done much to address the issue either.

The manner in which XDR patients are treated shows gross human rights violations. While reading the report I was reminded of how leprosy patients were isolated in colonies away from the very society they were part of.

Are XDR patients getting proper counseling?

HIV-Aids and illiteracy still remain huge challenges in South Africa. They should be at the top of our agenda.

This attitude does not put the Health Department in good standing and proves that HIV-Aids treatment programmes and illiteracy are not regarded as urgent matters by the government.

The department must be condemned and held accountable. We must know what XDR research is being done.

I voted for this government because it promised to serve South Africans.

Funeka Mkumla,

Johannesburg