WHO launches Companion Handbook on MDR-TB management
The Handbook has been developed for the purpose of describing ways to implement established WHO policies relevant for the management of MDR-TB.
Resistance to tuberculosis (TB) drugs is a formidable obstacle to effective TB care and prevention globally. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is multifactorial and fuelled by improper treatment of patients, poor management of supply and quality of drugs, and airborne transmission of bacteria in public places. Case management becomes difficult and the challenge is compounded by catastrophic economic and social costs that patients incur while seeking help and on treatment.
National TB programme managers, clinicians, nurses, all care providers and affected people themselves need guidance on how best to bring together different elements of health systems and services needed to effectively address the MDR-TB challenge. To facilitate this, WHO launched a Handbook that has been developed for the purpose of describing ways to implement established WHO policies relevant for the management of MDR-TB. This Handbook should be seen as an implementation guide that requires adaptation in the local context without departing from WHO’s general policy guidance.
Source: WHO
