WHO consolidated operational handbook on tuberculosis: module 4: treatment and care

The WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis, Module 4: treatment and care provides practical guidance for implementing WHO recommendations on the management of tuberculosis (TB). The handbook consolidates operational guidance on treatment of drug-susceptible TB, treatment of drug-resistant TB, and tuberculosis care and support, complementing the WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis. Intended for national tuberculosis programmes, policy-makers, clinicians and technical partners, the publication supports the adoption and implementation of evidence-based approaches across diverse health-care settings.

The handbook outlines standardized and shorter treatment regimens for drug-susceptible TB, comprehensive approaches to the management of rifampicin-resistant and multidrug-resistant TB, and key considerations related to diagnostics, drug susceptibility testing, monitoring and adverse event management. It also emphasizes people-centred care, including psychosocial, educational and nutritional support to improve treatment adherence and outcomes. Additional guidance is provided on special populations, coexisting conditions, palliative care, and decentralized models of care. Annexes include practical resources such as medicine information sheets, protocols for active drug-safety monitoring, adverse event management and weight-based dosing recommendations for adults and children.