The World Health Organization (WHO) is unveiling a practical operational handbook on tuberculosis (TB) infection prevention and control. This handbook is designed to complement WHO‘s evidence-based guidelines, offering actionable advice for healthcare systems and authorities.
TB infection prevention and control should be seamlessly integrated into national TB programs and be an integral part of measures taken at all levels within a country to thwart the transmission of infectious diseases. The operational handbook is a valuable resource for countries, aiding in the adaptation and implementation of TB infection prevention and control measures. It places significant emphasis on the importance of fostering integrated, well-coordinated, multisectoral efforts across all tiers of healthcare and in settings where TB transmission risk is elevated.
Within the handbook, countries can find exemplary approaches derived from successful implementations, along with checklists and practical tools to assist in the execution and monitoring of administrative, environmental, and respiratory protection measures. Beyond healthcare facilities, these measures may also be applicable to communal settings with a high susceptibility to TB transmission, such as correctional facilities, refugee camps, and elderly care homes.
WHO is urging governments to allocate both human and financial resources to fortify the implementation of infection prevention and control measures. Collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health and various public and private entities are vital for the systematic execution of TB infection prevention and control measures. WHO advocates for the adoption of a comprehensive set of interventions across all contexts as an integrated strategy, rather than piecemeal implementation of individual recommendations.
Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO’s Global TB Programme, underscores the significance of preventive measures like TB infection prevention and control. She emphasizes that such investments can break the chain of transmission not only in healthcare facilities, communal settings, and workplaces but also within the households of individuals with TB. This collective approach is paramount in the global fight to eradicate TB.
Sources: WHO