Table 4. Recommended priority actions to reduce TB prevalence at Mbuji-Mayi Central Prison, Democratic Republic of the Congo*.

Action
1. Ensure the screening for TB signs and symptoms of all inmates at the time of prison entry and exit. Continue active and early detection of presumptive TB patients. Raise awareness among the inmates, the prison administration, and the community of the city of Mbuji-Mayi that each cougher should be tested. Confirm presumptive diagnosis by using Xpert MTB/RIF assay. Screen for HIV by using rapid tests.
2. Initiate appropriate treatment of confirmed TB patients within 24 h under strict supervision of healthcare providers.
3. Ensure systematic screening by chest x-ray of the other inmates, the healthcare providers, and the personnel of the prison administration.
4. Feed all inmates adequate and nourishing meals, especially TB and HIV patients undergoing treatment.
5. Ventilate cells.
6. RR-TB patients may be isolated from other inmates at Dipumba General Hospital (Mbuji-Mayi), where the National TB Program was able to obtain a ward for their accommodation. However, the prison administration should find ways to ensure security.
7. Establish compulsory wearing of masks by all TB patients.
8. Establish the compulsory wearing of respirators by all staff entering the prison.
9. Ensure the decongestion of the prison by speeding up judicial proceedings, and increase space by enforcing maximal occupancy levels at the prison.

*TB, tuberculosis.