In a move to cover a larger number of tuberculosis infected patients under the civic umbrella, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recently initiated a unique tie-up with NGO Path which will work to control and diagnose TB in the private sector of the city. Dr Minnie Khetarpal, TB control officer, BMC, said, “We have evaluated that 50 per cent of the total TB burden goes to private sector for treatment either because they don’t want to avail public services or they get no access. In this program, the NGO will work with private clinics, laboratories and hospitals to provide better treatment to infected patients.” The move comes after the civic body realised that several TB patients start their treatment late due to delayed detection and lack of diagnostic facilities. According to Dr Amita Athavale, head of chest medicine department at civic-run KEM hospital, on an average, the treatment onset of people infected with TB in Mumbai witnesses a delay of 30-45 days. Additionally, the treatment regime given to several patients by private doctors does not follow the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) guidelines which is followed by the civic body. The program, which has so far covered close to 200 patients, has tied-up with four diagnostic laboratories and 16 clinics and hospitals in the city. Whenever new cases visit these clinics or hospitals, the respective doctor will refer them to the diagnostic facility if she doubts whether the patient has contracted TB. “We have given vouchers to doctors in these clinics. A patient can avail medicines and treatment for free using these vouchers. The doctors will act as a link between us and the patients. The treatment will be absolutely free,” said Shibu Vijayan, project director of Path. With this facility, instead of paying Rs 2,000 for detection of multi-drug resistant (MDR) or extremely-drug resistant (XDR) TB in a private facility, a patient has to produce the voucher and pay a concessional amount of Rs 500. The project will now expand in the coming months to attach with over 80 clinics and hospitals. The sample collection of patients and transportation cost involved will be handled by the NGO and BMC. tabassum. barnagarwala@expressindia.com
