Analysis of BMA-DOTS in the treatment of tuberculosis in Bangkok

Abstract

Tuberculosis has been a major global public health problem since the ancient time until now-a-days. Thailand is listed 1 of the 14 high TB burden countries in the world. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is epidemiologically expected bearing heavy TB burden. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) launched a WHO recommended Directly Observed Treatment-Short course (DOTS) project in the treatment of TB as his TB control strategy since 1998. This BMA-DOTS be managed to serve TB patients on free of charge, convenient and strictly monitored bases. Admits with high concern, sympathy and love atmosphere in taking care TB patients and good achievement of treatment outcome were reported. According to the Bangkok TB Annual Report 2017, the average 4 years (2013-2016) treatment results compared to that of the other medical service institutions in Bangkok which run self-administered-treatment (SAT) is obviously outstanding. In conclusion, BMA-DOTS achieved WHO recommended treatment target ≥90% at around 95% outcome consecutively for many years, while default and refer-out rates were the least. BMA-DOTS assures that DOTS is possible and valuable treatment measure. When run under efficient managing system, it would be excellent. It is recommended that this BMA-DOTS should be properly applied to the other medical institutions.