International guidelines on how to protect HCWs from acquiring
infectious diseases via occupational exposure are well developed and
widely embraced. Such measures feature in the Draft National Infection
Prevention and Control Policy for TB, MDRTB and XDRTB,25 the National
Infection Prevention and Control Policy & Strategy,26 and the South African
National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and TB 2012-2016.27 Furthermore,
the South African Health and Safety Act28 entitles all workers, including
health workers, to a safe working environment without risk to their health.
Despite the availability of policies and guidelines, these are often poorly
implemented because the health system is under pressure with respect
to human resource limitations, poor infrastructure and resources, as well
as related budgetary constraints, all of which are exacerbated by the HIV/
tuberculosis co-epidemic.29