KOZHIKODE: Quality diagnostic checks and uninterrupted free treatment are being given emphasis under the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP).

As part of the Government policy to provide quality diagnostic services, private laboratories are also being included in the RNTCP.

Of the 29 laboratories where diagnostic care is being provided in the district, four are in the private sector and the rest in primary health centres.

Since private laboratories work late hours, public will find it convenient.

The RNTCP cell at Government Medical College Hospital here is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and trained personnel, sources at the District TB Centre said.

Stress is being placed on `directly observed treatment' (DOT) and short-course chemotherapy.

Objectives

The objectives of the RNTCP include achieving and maintaining 85 per cent cure rate among new patients, providing good quality diagnostic facility through sputum examination, and uninterrupted supply of good quality drugs free from the Government.

Stress is being given to DOT so that there is no interruption in the therapy prescribed and the patient takes the full course without break.

Another component of the RNTCP is systematic monitoring and accountability, with a system of providing quarterly report.

As many as 40,000 people are infected with TB every day in the country, and 1,000 die of the disease a day, District TB Centre sources said.

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