A general practitioner in the private sector diagnoses sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in a 28-year-old woman and starts her on anti-tubercular therapy. Under NTEP regulations, what is his obligatory next step?
- A Refer the patient to the nearest government hospital and transfer her care entirely
- B Notify the case through the Nikshay portal within 24 hours of diagnosis ✓
- C No action needed unless the patient develops multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
- D Notify only after two months of treatment if the patient fails to respond
Correct answer: B. Notify the case through the Nikshay portal within 24 hours of diagnosis
Explanation
Tuberculosis has been a legally notifiable disease in India since 2012, and notification is mandatory for all providers, public and private. Cases are reported through the web-based Nikshay system to the District TB Officer within 24 hours of diagnosis. Referral is not compulsory because private providers may retain and treat patients, and waiting for treatment failure or MDR-TB violates the notification mandate.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.