The new South African TB Management Guidelines – What’s new?

The National Department of Health introduced latest developments of the new South Africa TB management guidelines.

Dr Lindiwe Mvusi, Director in the TB Control and Management Cluster within the National Department of Health discussed the new developments of the South Africa TB management guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is to serve as a guide for health practitioners in making appropriate decisions when managing TB patients.

The new developments amongst others include:

• Xpert diagnostic and follow up algorithm
• Lap diagnostic algorithm
• Case definitions
• Treatment regimen changes
• TB screening
• Contact and source investigation
• Management of side effects and medicines
• ART initiation for co-infected patients
• Approach to the management of patients who smoke, abuse alcohol, are diabetic and have silicosis.
• Screening of pregnant women and children.

Dr Lindiwe also talked about the Department’s TB intervention strategies which include:

• Prevention
• Screening and diagnosis
• Treatment
• Strengthening women and children programmes
• Retention in care

These guidelines provide advice on how to address the challenges of: TB control and successful management of TB patients, especially those co-infected with HIV as well as early detection of drug resistant TB.