The Nepal Antituberculosis Association (NATA) and the Kuratorium für Tuberkulose in der Welt e.V. provide lung function diagnosis to tuberculosis patients with persistent or recurring symptoms. The hospital partners are supported by the pneumonology department at the Asklepios hospital in Munich-Gauting and the Synlab tuberculosis laboratory in Gauting.
Context:
A 2020 survey showed that the actual rate of tuberculosis in Nepal is significantly higher than previously thought. Case-finding is the most common form of detection, in other words patients with symptoms present at a tuberculosis outpatient clinic. However, the medical equipment situation for lung function tests is precarious. It is particularly difficult to detect tuberculosis disease in children without using bronchoscopy, since children are unable to give a sputum sample. These factors increase the risk that patients who initially recovered from tuberculosis will become chronically ill.
Activities:
-\tTraining laboratory staff
-\tTraining medical staff in the tuberculosis treatment centres on different methods for performing lung function tests (bronchoscopy, spirometry)
-\tFour-week placements in Germany to provide experience of different treatment situations and give participants the opportunity to acquire more in-depth knowledge
-\tCreation of a post-tuberculosis treatment algorithm
Result:
Upgrading the diagnostic and treatment skills of medical staff improves the care of tuberculosis patients in Nepal.