Effective strategy against TB not reaching enough patients
worldwide
Directly observed therapy, short course (DOTS), a
strategy that can cure up to 90 per cent of all cases of tuberculosis
(TB), is only reaching 27 per cent of the world's TB patients, according
to the World Health Organization.
The DOTS strategy has five key components: government
commitment to sustained TB control; case detection by sputum microscopy;
standardised treatment of six to eight months (the first two months of
which would be under the supervision of health professionals); a regular
supply of essential TB drugs; and a standardised reporting system.
In its annual report on the control of TB, WHO also
estimated that $1bn a year will be needed to treat patients and control
the epidemic of the disease in 22 countries that now account for 80 per
cent of the world's TB burden.
WHO is however encouraged by the commitment shown
by the government of these 22 low-income countries, as indicated by the
fact that these governments were already paying 70 per cent of the cost
of TB treatment and control.
The goals that have been set by WHO are that by
2005, 70 per cent of all active infectious TB cases will be diagnosed
and 85 per cent will be successfully treated.
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