Abstract
Directly Observed Therapy Short-course (DOTS) is composed of five distinct elements: political commitment, case detection through quality-assured bacteriology; drug supplies; surveillance and monitoring systems and use of highly efficacious regimens; and direct observation of treatment. DOTS produces cure rates of up to 95 percent even in the poorest countries and prevents the development of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis. National TB Programme (NTP) has been started to introduce in 1994 according to DOTS principles in B&H with central and regional levels. At central levels there are national TB coordinators, and in all Cantons/Regions there are regional TB Coordinators. During intensive phase of therapy, patients are hospitalized. In the second phase of therapy, patients are treated in anti-tuberculosis dispensaries and some of them by a responsible member of the family (family supervision). There are several weaknesses in implementation of DOTS in B&H: TB case detection was not fully implemented in all medical services. Registration of TB cases in some facilities, there is no official central recommended registry, individual reporting for treatment outcomes and establishing a reliable monitoring and evaluation system. Application for 6 round of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) had been finally approved and signed for B&H in October 2007. These grants would repair some implementation gaps and improve DOTS strategy in B&H.
Highlights
Observed Therapy Short-course (DOTS) is composed of five distinct elements: political commitment, case detection through quality-assured bacteriology; drug supplies; surveillance and monitoring systems and use of highly efficacious regimens; and direct observation of treatment
Political commitment is needed to foster national and international partnerships, which should be linked to longterm strategic action plans prepared by National TB Programmes (NTPs)
During the war in B&H there were no recording and reporting system, so there were no data on TB cases
Summary
Observed Therapy Short-course (DOTS) is composed of five distinct elements: political commitment, case detection through quality-assured bacteriology; drug supplies; surveillance and monitoring systems and use of highly efficacious regimens; and direct observation of treatment. Many workers interpret DOTS purely as direct supervision of therapy. It has two purposes, to ensure that the patient with tuberculosis (TB) completes therapy to cure and to prevent drug resistance from developing in the community ( ). Political commitment is needed to foster national and international partnerships, which should be linked to longterm strategic action plans prepared by National TB Programmes (NTPs). Strategic action plans should address technical and financial requirements and promote accountability for results at all levels of the health system ( )
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
