NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL STRATEGY IN THE POST HIV PERIOD

The tuberculosis situation in the country is a matter of great concern since the disease has not been contained. The problem has been further compounded by the emerging problem of HIV infection in the country together with development of multi-resistant tubercle bacilli. There is, therefore, a need to change our National Tuberculosis Control Strategy without disturbing the basic infrastructure of the National Tuberculosis Programme. Changes such as reinforcement of the District Tuberculosis Centre, HIV and drug sensitivity testing, giving up of long term chemotherapy, BCG vaccination policy, chemoprophylaxis policy and involvement of Non-Governmental Organisations and general practitioners are suggested.