History of DOTS

Tuberculosis is a major public health problem world-wide and its control continues to elude the brightest minds and to challenge the human and economic resources of countries around the world. Unless urgent action is taken, more than 15 million people including more than 4 million in India will die from tuberculosis in the next decade1. Tuberculosis can be cured in nearly all patients. Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy is the management package that ensures effective diagnosis and treatment of infectious cases. On March 24, 1997, the Director-General of th