[Principles and organization of tuberculosis control].

Tuberculosis control must be organized by establishing programmes that are then implemented rigorously. The aim is to eradicate tuberculosis by applying a set of treatment procedures. These include, in particular, the detection of infectious cases in symptomatic patients who present to health services and their rapid treatment with chemotherapy, which makes them non-infectious and ensures their full recovery. An essential part of the programme is the information system, which enables treatment results to be evaluated and the efficacy of the treatment to be monitored. The model of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) for low income countries has proved to be effective, and has been recognized as one of the most efficient health interventions. The eradication of tuberculosis is possible: tuberculosis has a slow endemic cycle and tuberculosis can be reduced faster than drug resistance can emerge. In addition, all the tools required for tuberculosis control are already available and HIV infection is not yet widespread in several of the countries where tuberculosis is prevalent. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for the rigorous and standardized application of the methods we have developed.