Regional workshop on tuberculosis, ethics and human rights

The objectives of the Regional workshop on tuberculosis, ethics and human rights held at the WHO Regional Office for Europe on 16 October 2013 were to afford the countries the opportunity of sharing best practices and discuss ways of solving the human-rights and ethical problems related to the involuntary isolation and/or involuntary treatment of people with TB and M/XDR-TB and the compassionate use of new drugs.

Conclusions from the workshop were that: involuntary treatment is not acceptable for any TB and M/XDR-TB patient; the involuntary isolation of TB patients should be considered as a last resort and only when other measures, such as decentralized treatment and adequate patient support, have failed; during the assessment of a patient in connection with possible involuntary isolation, consideration should be given to related country-specific requirements; WHO assistance would be required in a number of areas related to involuntary isolation; the compassionate use of new anti-TB drugs should be considered an urgent need in WHO European countries with a high burden of MDR-TB and XDR-TB; and that WHO assistance would be requested in a number of areas pertaining to the compassionate use of these drugs.