[Basic characteristics of the National Tuberculosis Program in Bosnia-Herzegovina]

National TB Programme (NTP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina was approved on 24th May 1994. Following the recommendations of WHO Working Group we revised and supplemented NTP of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 1996 and 1998/99. The objective of the programme was provide practical guidelines on implementation of TB control to all lung diseases and TB specialists over the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with WHO Global Program. TB control through NTP is implemented on the following health care levels: primary health care, General practitioner and family doctor, dispensary of Lung Diseases & TB, Hospitals (Cantonal and Regional), Clinical for Lung Diseases & TB. The effects of this NTP are the following: high sputum smear conversion rates at the end of the initial phase, high cure rates decreased prevalence of chronic excretors of tubercle bacilli, decreased transmission of infection, prevention of drug-resistance. Very good results were achieved in the last three years in TB control with stable incidence through by passive case findings, active finding of contacts, proper and controlled treatment using DOTS strategy as the best TB prevention.