Location, location, location: tuberculosis services in highest burden countries

Early diagnosis of tuberculosis and rapid treatment initiation are crucial for tuberculosis care and for interrupting transmission and require delivery of tuberculosis care services where most patients seek initial care. In most countries, National Tuberculosis Programs (NTPs) are expected to have basic tuberculosis diagnosis by use of smear microscopy available at the primary care level, via a network of microscopy centres. However, there is little published information on where latent tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) diagnostic and treatment services are exactly available in the highest tuberculosis burden countries.