Pursue high-quality DOTS expansion and enhancement
LHIL/JP Zellweger
DOTS remains at the heart of the Stop TB Strategy. To enable known constraints to be addressed and new challenges met, further strengthening of the basic five components of the DOTS approach is required.
Five components of DOTS:
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1. Political commitment with increased and sustained financing
Legislation, planning, human resources, management, training -
2. Case detection through quality-assured bacteriology
Strengthening TB laboratories, drug resistance surveillance -
3. Standardized treatment with supervision and patient support
TB treatment and programme management guidelines, International Standards of TB Care (ISTC), PPM, Practical Approach to Lung Health (PAL), community-patient involvement
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4. An effective drug supply and management system
Availability of TB drugs, TB drug management, Global Drug Facility (GDF), Green Light Committee (GLC) -
5. Monitoring and evaluation system and impact measurement
TB recording and reporting systems, Global TB Control Report, data and country profiles, TB planning and budgeting tool, WHO epidemiology and surveillance online training
