LT-Microscopy & NAAT

Intensified Case Finding (ICF) is a case finding approach between Active and Passive approaches. Here individuals coming in contact with the health system through any activity are screened actively for symptoms of TB and referred for testing.

This approach brings the benefit of active case finding approach by active screening for TB symptoms, but does limit the extensive effort required by restricting to only those people who has some or the other healthcare problem. This approach is considered for people attending a healthcare facility.

Systematic screening of all individuals of a defined population is known as active case finding.  It is applied outside of health facilities at the community level by the health system.

Objective of ACF is to:

TPT treatment options recommended under NTEP include:

• 3-month weekly Isoniazid and Rifapentine (3HP)
• 6-months daily isoniazid (6H)

What is the "continuum of TB Care"?

The process for testing is initiated with a request for test and ends with the reporting of test results. In built into the process of testing is also the process of specimen collection and transportation.

Functions and Integrated Services of the DMC

Those who are suspected of having TB disease are first screened for symptoms like cough and fever for more than 2 weeks, blood stained sputum and weight-loss. If found positive on screening, then TB patients are referred for testing to the nearest health facility. If diagnosed with TB, then they are subsequently initiated on treatment.

• National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) conducts annual on-site evaluation/supervisory visits to laboratories for assessing the quality of microscopy, culture and drug susceptibility test (C&DST), and for improvement of the overall laboratory quality. 
• NRLs also assist Central TB Division (CTD), in developing laboratory guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and conduct training to state-level Intermediate reference laboratories (IRLs) and other technical issues.

National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is a centrally sponsored programme being implemented under the aegis of National Health Mission.

National Level: Managed by Central TB Division (CTD), the technical arm of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW)