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DSTB Treatment duration is of 6–9-month course of antibiotics. The duration and drug dosage used may vary according to a patient’s age, type of TB infection, and whether s/he has been treated before.

The standard 6-month course of treatment consists of two phases. 

Community Health Volunteers(CHVs) have to refer the presumptive cases identified based on the r symptom screening to the nearest NTEP health facility for further investigation. Once Diagnosed with TB, the TB patients are initiated on the first-line TB treatment. Patients are also offered NAAT within a maximum of 15 days to rule out any drug resistance. If no drug resistance is detected, then the patient continues on the first-line TB treatment. TB patients are then clinically evaluated every month to check the progress of TB treatment. 

For the TB patients, to login into the application, Nikshay ID is required. 

After Installing the App, all users will have access to the static content of the App which includes useful information around TB and its diagnosis. It covers the following sections:

Figure: Informative Page in TB Aarogya Sathi Application

TB Aarogya Sathi empowers Citizens(including TB Patients under NTEP) and to serve as a Direct interface with the healthcare system. The App is aimed at augmenting the initiatives of the Central TB Division, Government of India in proactively increasing awareness among the citizens and ensuring availability of free and quality assured drugs and diagnostics to all citizens in the country.

Prerequisites to register as a Treatment Supporter

• "Nikshay" Application from Google Play store
• Stable internet connectivity for seamless experience
• A working mobile number, when interacting with NTEP health facility staff for login creation in Nikshay
• Bank details of treatment supporter, in order to be shared with NTEP Health Facility Staff.

Figure: Nikshay Home Page

After login in Nikshay, using the login credential shared by NTEP Health Staff, Treatment Supporter will be able to access the following button:

After completion of TB treatment, all patients should be followed up at the end of

• 6 months,
• 12 months,
• 18 months &
• 24 months

TB patients at the follow up should be screened for any clinical symptoms and/or cough. If found positive on screening, then sputum microscopy and/or culture should be considered. This is important in detecting the recurrence of TB at the earliest.

1. Counsel and reassure the patient as the common occurring adverse effects usually resolve with time.
2. Advise the patient to take all the drugs together.
3. Advise patient to take light meal (biscuits, bread, rice etc.) before taking drugs.
4. Inform patients that they may take drugs embedded in banana or at the bedtime to reduce their associated side effects.
5. Encourage patients to keep themselves hydrated by increasing fluid intake.