The Union Health Ministry has issued new, standardised guidelines for medical practitioners to certify when Tuberculosis (TB) patients are no longer infectious.

Key Takeaways:

• This standardised certification provides clear, evidence-based criteria for clinicians to declare TB patients non-infectious.

• Certification considers treatment duration, patient compliance, consecutive negative sputum tests, and overall clinical improvement.

• This is designed to help patients overcome workplace discrimination, reduce stigma and support their economic well-being.

• Specific conditions are outlined for different types of TB, including drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains and different timelines for the treatments.

These comprehensive guidelines are a crucial step towards reducing stigma and supporting the rights and livelihoods of individuals recovering from TB.