Central African Journal of Medicine
Volume 46, Issue 1, 2000, Pages 18-22

Former migrant mineworkers with respiratory disease: The South African compensation system, and implications for neighbouring countries (Review)

Steen T.W.* , Mabongo N. , Moeti T. , Monare B. , Trapido A.S.M.
  • a Health Department, Kweneng District Council, Molepolole, Botswana, Fylkeslegen i Vest-Agder, Servicebox 506, 4605 Kristiansand, Norway
  • b Community Health Services Division, Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana
  • c Community Health Services Division, Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana
  • d Thamaga Primary Hospital, Thamaga, Botswana
  • e Epidemiology Research Unit, Medical Bureau for Occupational Disease, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

In the region of Southern Africa, substantial numbers of people, primarily males, have been employed in the South African mining industry. Migrant workers from neighbouring countries have constituted a large part of the work force. Until recently, there has been little or no attention directed toward the state of health of these individuals, despite the fact that their work involves a high health risk, especially in regard to mine-related lung diseases. In addition, the South African workers' compensation programme has seldom been utilised by the migrant worker who is a victim of occupational disease. However, recent experiences from Botswana show that compensation claims can be successfully made from the neighbouring countries where the migrant workers originate. Efforts are being made to address the problem systematically, and the government of Botswana is actively involved. The major occupational lung disorders are described briefly, and differential diagnostic problems with pulmonary TB are discussed. Furthermore, a survey of the compensation system in South Africa is presented, and practical steps for medical examinations involving compensation claims are described.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

differential diagnosis Diagnosis, Differential Population Surveillance occupational disease human Respiratory Tract Diseases statistics Occupational Diseases respiratory tract disease mining Eligibility Determination South Africa Humans male risk factor Risk Factors Africa Gold Article organization and management migration Botswana Africa, Southern Transients and Migrants Workers' Compensation workman compensation documentation health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0642367801&doi=10.4314%2fcajm.v46i1.8518&partnerID=40&md5=ac91b87dabb80fe08d1336502ca3fa41
DOI: 10.4314/cajm.v46i1.8518
ISSN: 00089176
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English