Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), a patient diagnosed with drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB) must be notified to the national TB registry within what time frame after diagnosis?
- A Within 72 hours
- B Within 24 hours ✓
- C Within 7 days
- D Within 48 hours
Correct answer: B. Within 24 hours
Explanation
Under NTEP (formerly RNTCP), TB is a notifiable disease in India. All diagnosed TB patients must be notified to Nikshay (the national TB surveillance system) within 24 hours of diagnosis — including those diagnosed in the private sector. Nikshay notification is mandatory for all TB cases (DS-TB, DR-TB, extrapulmonary TB) and ensures patient follow-up, treatment support, and epidemiological tracking. Failure to notify is punishable under the Epidemic Diseases Act.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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