NTEP: TB Laboratory Services: 3-tier system

TB Laboratory Services: 3-tier system

• The peripheral laboratories

• The labs at dispensaries, PHCs, CHCs, referral hospitals, major hospitals, specialty clinics / other sector hospitals / TB hospitals / Medical colleges and in the private/NGO sectors

  • These laboratories are covered under quality assurance mechanisms
  • large hospitals and medical colleges have facilities of digital X-Ray, rapid molecular test (Cartridge based nucleic acid amplification test -CBNAAT & Line Probe Assay - LPA), Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC), histopathology, and culture & DST for diagnostic services of TB.

• State level- Intermediate reference laboratory (IRL),

  • Usually situated in the State TB Training and Demonstration Centre (STDC)
  • Monitoring laboratory services across the state
  • CBNAAT sites
  • DRTB Centres

• Central level

• Six National Reference Laboratories (NRLs)
  • External Quality Assurance of Lab network,
  • Drug resistance surveillance,
  • Training and research.