China issues guideline on tuberculosis prevention, treatment

BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's central government has issued a guideline to improve prevention and treatment of tuberculosis from 2016 to 2020.

The guideline, issued by the General Office of the State Council, called for early identification and better medical services for people with tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis patients in poverty should receive proper treatment and aid through health insurance and government assistance programs, according to the document.

It also called for improved tuberculosis management among groups prone to the disease, and people with tuberculosis and HIV co-infection to contain the risks of tuberculosis outbreaks.