Why in News?

• A pilot project for utilising services of Department of Post for transport of sputum specimen for TB Diagnosis was launched by the Health Ministry.

TB Sputum Test:

• The sputum test is often the first TB test to be used in countries with a high rate of TB infection.
•  Sputum is a thick fluid that is produced in the lungs and the airways leading to the lungs.
•  A sample of sputum is usually collected by the person coughing.
•  Sputum microscopy is inexpensive and simple, and people can be trained to do it relatively quickly and easily.
•   In addition the results are available within hours.

Why postal transportation of Sputum?

• Most of the patients are not diagnosed because the specimen does not reach the laboratory due to non-availability of specimen transport mechanisms.
• Transport of collected specimen also spares the patient’s from travelling to the reference laboratory.
•  Prompt transport of specimen followed by efficacious testing will enable appropriate management of the TB patients and reduced disease transmission.

Nikshay Version 2.0:

•  The web-based application of Revised National Tuberculosis Programme, Nikshay Version 2.0 with better user interface and data structures, was also launched.
• The web-application is also designed to be mobile friendly, enabling data entry also from the mobile browser.