2.4.1 Potential benefits for the individual

The benefits include the health, social and economic benefits of early diagnosis and treatment. In principle, the potential benefits are greater for persons who are at highest risk of delayed or missed diagnosis because they meet barriers in obtaining health care (for example, people living in poor communities or remote areas) and especially those at highest risk of unfavourable treatment outcomes when diagnosis is delayed (for example, because their immune system is compromised, such as people living with HIV and children).

When someone is screened for TB, other conditions that require treatment may be identified (such as lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although the screening team may not be responsible for offering treatment for other conditions, links must be forged with other health programmes to address these cases.

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