5 Components of DOTS strategy

• DOTS strategy had 5 main components:

1. Political will (therefore administrative commitment) (C)
2. Diagnosis by quality microscopy of sputum (M)
3. Adequate drug supply (S)
4. Directly observed treatment (O)
5. Accountability – systematic monitoring (A)
   Thus RNTCP shifts the responsibility for cure from the patient to the health system
   Suggested Mnemonic: SCAM – O

reference:

• Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, Ed. 24th
• GOI 2010, DOTS-Plus Guidelines , Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi