TB diagnosis: Health ministry launches sputum sample transportation using postal dept services

A pilot project for utilising services of the postal department for transport of sputum specimen for diagnosis of tuberculosis was launched at Karawal Nagar here on Wednesday.

A significant number of TB patients cannot get their sputum, a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract, tested because the specimen due to non-availability of specimen transport mechanisms, an official statement said.

If a proper transport mechanism for collected specimen is in place, it spares the patients from travelling to the laboratory.

According to the statement, prompt transport of specimen followed by efficacious testing will enable appropriate management of tuberculosis patients and reduced disease transmission.

If the pilot project here turns out to be a success then specimen transport mechanism through the postal department can be adopted across the country.

Web-based application of Nikshay Version 2.0, for monitoring of TB patients under the Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP) effectively, with better user interface and data structures, was also launched during the event. Its mobile application is also available.