Sr. DR-TB TB-HIV Supervisor

With a high burden of TB patients in close proximity to large numbers of vulnerable patients frequently visiting the ART centre, there is an increased risk of TB transmission. Factors like overcrowding, inadequate natural ventilation and re-circulating air-conditioners add to this risk.

ART centres are required to initiate the following measures aimed at reducing the exposure of HIV-infected patients to M. tuberculosis:

1. Infection control activities

The objective of Co-trimoxazole Preventive Therapy (CPT) is to reduce morbidity and mortality among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) from opportunistic infections.

Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) administration in People Living with HIV (PLHIV) prevents the incidence and relapse of TB and is a key public health intervention for TB prevention in PLHIV. Concomitant administration of Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) and IPT, restores TB-specific immunity and prolongs the beneficial effect of IPT.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in People Living with HIV (PLHIV) with TB Co-infection 

Principles of treating Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) in People Living with HIV (PLHIV):

1. Initiate an appropriate second-line anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) regimen, depending on the drug-sensitivity profile

2. Initiate anti-retroviral therapy (ART) as early as possible, preferably as soon as ATT is tolerated, maximum within two weeks. HIV-infected DR-TB patients without the benefit of ART may experience mortality rates exceeding 90%

District Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) HIV coordinator works as the stakeholder at district level to: 

The District Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) HIV coordinator ensures treatment initiation, public health actions, logistics, and follow-up of the patient in coordination with the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) staff (STS/ STLS), PHI/ treatment centre and DR-TBC/Nodal DR-TBC.

The DR-TB HIV coordinator receives the information about the newly diagnosed DR-TB patient from the lab and coordinates with the field staff/ medical officer of the concerned area. DR-TB HIV coordinator need to coordinate in

The district Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) HIV coordinator coordinates the diagnosis and treatment of DR-TB patients with the diagnostic facility, treatment facility (District DR-TB Centre (DDR-TBC)) and Peripheral Health Institute (PHI).

Their roles in the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) in TB diagnostic facilities are the following:

At the treatment centre, the District Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) HIV coordinator coordinates the counselling, pre-treatment evaluation, treatment initiation and maintains records of the DR-TB patient.

As the patient arrives at the DR-TB centre, the DR-TB HIV coordinator facilitates counselling of the patient, consultation with the DR-TB medical officer, and referral for pre-treatment evaluation. He/ she arranges for  fast-tracking of consultation/ investigations and ensure that treatment is initiated

The District DR TB HIV coordinator

The DR-TB HIV coordinator supervises and coordinates the activities related to TB diagnosis and treatment at the ART centre and ICTC