Efficient specimen referral systems contribute to optimal and timely access to TB diagnostic and treatment services. This guide provides practical information that will help developing and improving the efficiency of the specimen referral systems by establishing integrated solutions.
Targeting TB programme and laboratory managers, as well as other key stakeholders across various disease programmes, this guide presents a stepwise approach that aims at facilitating the planning and coordination of specimen referral systems, and also provides TB-specific considerations for collection, storage, packaging and transport of specimens.