Tuberculosis Laboratory Established in Şanlıurfa

Thanks to the Tuberculosis Laboratory established in Şanlıurfa Training and Research Hospital, Smear and PCR test results required for diagnosis can now be reported within 24 hours by studying tuberculosis samples here.

Şanlıurfa Training and Research Hospital Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Dr. Hakan Özturhan said, “Although tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest and most contagious diseases in human history, it still maintains its importance as a public health problem all over the world today. Tuberculosis is a respiratory disease that most commonly affects the lungs and is among the top ten causes of death worldwide. Tuberculosis Laboratories are of critical importance in providing the basic components of disease control and enable rapid detection of highly contagious patients and determination of drug resistance status, breaking the chain of infection, and initiating treatment and preventive activities (screening, etc.).” said.

Stating that the Biosafety Level-3 Tuberculosis Laboratory, which was completed in Şanlıurfa Training and Research Hospital, was structured to serve all Public Hospitals and Tuberculosis Dispensaries in Şanlıurfa province and its districts, Dr. Hakan Özturhan said, “Samples taken from patients with suspected tuberculosis are transferred from the relevant institutions to our laboratory. All necessary facilities are available in our laboratory to perform smear, tuberculosis culture, species discrimination, drug susceptibility tests and PCR processes. One of the health-related goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to end the tuberculosis epidemic by 2030. In order to achieve this goal, the National Tuberculosis Control Program is being carried out in our country. This program; “A Turkey Without Tuberculosis!” with the aim of reducing the incidence of the disease and deaths related to tuberculosis, and resetting the families facing devastating costs due to the disease, through prevention, early diagnosis, adequate and appropriate treatment, social protection and psycho-social support. It covers the activities carried out to achieve its goal”.

Directly Observed Treatment (DOT), recommended by WHO, has been applied since 2006 in order to maintain and complete the treatment of patients regularly. DGT says that each dose is to be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional or another officer in order to be sure that the patient is taking their medication correctly and completely. Hakan Özturhan concluded his words as follows:

“Diagnosis and treatment services for tuberculosis are free in all health institutions in our country. First and second choice drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis and resistant tuberculosis patients are provided by our Ministry and delivered to our citizens, health institutions and patients free of charge. Our laboratory will serve the people of Şanlıurfa with our modern equipment and authorized personnel.”