Impact of UDST: A step forward to end TB

Background India is determined to eliminate TB by 2025 despite being a high burden country. Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) is being strengthened with introduction of Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST) for Rifampicin to achieve the elimination status. Methodology We used a before-after comparison of baseline and intervention periods (12 months each) and analyzed data viz CBNAAT performed and case detection for both drug sensitive and drug resistant TB cases. Results After implementation of Universal DST, CBNAAT performed raised from 1252 to 3137 (increased by 2.5 times); Rif sensitive cases detected raised from 458 to 1241 (increased by 2.7 times) and Rif resistant cases detected raised from 54 to 82 (increased by 1.5 times) during baseline period (2017) and intervention period (2018). Conclusion We conclude that introduction of UDST for Rifampicin in RNTCP has given a significant impact with increased case detection in our study.