Universal Access to TB Care, Patna

The Government of Bihar launched an ambitious and innovative pilot project to tackle TB on November 21, 2014 in Patna. Flagged off by the state’s former Health Minister, Mr. Ramdhani Singh, the “Universal Access to TB Care” pilot is an initiative that focuses on proactive private sector engagement. It seeks to transform urban TB control in India by educating private practitioners, testing centres and pharmacies on best practices essential for effective TB control.

India has the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the world, accounting for one-fourth of the global TB burden alone. Annually, the country witnesses approximately 2.3 million new cases, 300,000 TB deaths and additionally, a million “missing” patients languishing in the largely unregulated private healthcare sector. Although India has taken tremendous steps towards tackling this deadly disease, these efforts have been limited in their impact and reach, owing to the sheer magnitude of the country’s TB epidemic.

Large cities present a distinct challenge to TB prevention and control. Although urban living offers potential access to better health care, urban environments can also lead to health risks and new hazards. Urbanization is a leading contributor to the rampant spread of TB in major cities such as Patna. As a highly contagious and airborne disease, TB finds the ideal conditions for transmission in crowded and unhygienic spaces, particularly slum areas. The poor are especially vulnerable to the disease as malnutrition compromises their immune systems. However contrary to common belief, TB is not just a disease of the poor — it can be contracted by anyone upon exposure, irrespective of their economic status.

Speaking at the launch at Patna’s Hotel Maurya, Dr. R. S. Gupta, former Deputy Director General of the Central TB Division said, “Urban TB control has become an urgent necessity if we are to curb the spread of TB infection, particularly of drug-resistant strains that result from TB care malpractices and poor awareness about the importance of treatment adherence. City slums, in particular, have become catchment areas for this contagious airborne disease due to increased population density and the lack of sanitation.”

The daunting scale of India’s TB epidemic cannot be fought by the public sector alone. An inclusive approach focused on private sector engagement in TB control is imperative, together with stringent measures to mitigate malpractices in TB care and ensure mandatory notification of TB cases.

Emphasising the importance of private sector engagement, Dr. Jagdish Prasad, Director General of Health Services said, “Given that the private sector healthcare is the first point of contact for more than half the Indian population, engaging the private sector is a much needed initiative to prevent TB care malpractices, as this is a major root cause of the rise in drug-resistant TB cases.”

This initiative in Patna will focus on engaging qualified doctors, informal medical practitioners, chemist shops and diagnostic facilities in the private sector, using a technology-based reporting platform, and an inclusive system of financial and service incentives. The initiative is aimed at motivating and facilitating appropriate delivery of TB diagnosis and treatment in Patna, wherein the private sector and state authorities join hands in a combined effort to combat this deadly but preventable and treatable disease.

Lauding the Patna pilot initiative, Ramdhani Singh, Health Minister of Bihar, said, “This model of private sector engagement, if successful, can be replicated across the country as a national model to combat the spread of TB infection and the rise of drug-resistant strains. This innovative approach will see state authorities working closely together with the private sector towards the common goal of eradicating TB in Patna.”

As part of the private sector engagement program, leading diagnostic facilities are being brought on board to provide subsidized sputum testing for TB diagnosis. Chemists will be sensitized to not sell TB medication over-the-counter without a prescription. Private healthcare practitioners are being encouraged to ensure notification of positive TB cases and educate patients about the criticality of treatment adherence.

The ‘Universal Access to TB Care’ pilot holds the potential to change the TB control landscape in India. Reflecting on the promise of this initiative, Mr. Dalbir Singh, President of the Global Coalition Against TB said, “Bihar’s novel initiative for urban TB control is an encouraging development and a leading example for fighting India’s TB epidemic. I would like to congratulate the Government of Bihar for proactively introducing an inclusive TB control strategy that also engages the private sector. The National TB Forum is keen to highlight Bihar’s laudable efforts as an example in its TB advocacy.”

Harnessing India’s proficiency in information, communication and technology (ICT) a call center that maintains a record of patient information has been established to monitor treatment adherence. Public awareness about the disease is being generated using outdoor media such as flyers, boards and hoardings, with the following messages:

• “Subsidized diagnosis and free treatment for a TB-free Patna.”
• “Patna stands united in the fight against TB - now your neighboring private doctor, lab or chemist will provide subsidized diagnosis and free treatment services.”
• “Together we will ensure that Patna becomes TB free – correct diagnosis and treatment is the key to eradicating TB – freely available services include sputum testing, chest x-ray, free TB mediation.”