Regional variations in tuberculosis policy in the Cape and Ciskei

Regional variations in tuberculosis policy in Cape Town, Paarl and Ciskei, as well as problems experienced by health workers, are examined. South African policy is compared with modern trends and recommendations drawn from the international literature and is found to conform in many respects, although tuberculosis services are not always integrated with curative services. The most marked variation occurs in Ciskei, where policy requires hospitalization of as many patients as possible. The majority of problems in implementing policy relate to lack of funds and medical infrastructure.