| The São Paulo TB Control Program is implemented by the Municipal Health Surveillance Coordination (COVISA), which is a division of the São Paulo municipal government. The current COVISA TB Control Strategy includes:
• Early TB detection through both passive and active case finding in health units and in communities, including institutions such as shelters, prisons, nursing homes and mental health clinics;
• Expanding Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course Strategy for Tuberculosis (DOTS). Worldwide experience has demonstrated that the cure rate doubles when TB medication is directly observed by a health professional. Other advantages include: reduction of the treatment default rate, decreased development of resistance, and controlled drug intolerance;
• Distribution of incentives to promote the patient's adherence including (1) bus tickets to ensure patients return to the health service for directly observed medication, (2) food baskets as an incentive to continue treatment, (3) snacks after the patients take their medication.
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