‘Make WHO-approved urine test part of Naco’

MUMBAI: Several patients and rights’ groups across India have urged the Centre to make World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended urine test, to detect tuberculosis (TB) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, part of National AIDS Control Organisation (Naco).

Supporters said chances of HIV patients contracting TB are higher and TB lipoarabinomannan (LAM) or TB LAM test helps early detection. It detects long chains of lipids and sugar present in bacterial cell walls.

Patients’ groups such as Delhi Network of Positive People and Bengal Forum of People Who Use Drugs wrote to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) last week.

The letter reads: “The test is unavailable in India owing to lack of regulatory approval and inclusion in diagnostic guidelines of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program and National AIDS Control Organisation.”

Ganesh Acharya, an HIV rights’ activist from Mumbai who signed the letter, said the test is crucial for HIV patients who cannot produce sputum and are in a critical state.

“LAM is an easy point of care test for TB diagnosis and yet its is not a part of the national HIV programme,” he said.

Dr Kamini Walia from ICMR confirmed receiving the letter.

“We have recommended health ministry to include TB LAM test in the national essential diagnostics list. It will help improve TB detection,” she said.