The role of private health sector engagement in TB control in India

<p>Tuberculosis (TB) continues\nto remain a major public health problem globally. WHO’s End TB Strategy has set\na goal to end the epidemic with ambitious targets for 2035. About 27% of the\nglobal TB cases occur in India which poses a challenge to global TB control.\nThis is mainly because majority of patients in India approach the private\nsector, which is usually diverse, disorganized, unregulated and often\ndisconnected from the national TB control programme (NTP). The quality of care\nis not consistent across the private sector and completion of treatment is not\nensured. Non-standard treatment leads to the emergence of drug-resistant TB.\nPublic-private collaborations in India have shown promising results in\nimproving the situation. This research analyzed the manner and conditions for\nprivate sector engagement to increase the chances of ending TB. For this, India\nwill have to improve and scale up public-private partnerships. This will need\nheavy investments and adoption of newer and innovative approaches, tools and\ntechnology aiming Universal Health Coverage. This research used selected\npublications and reviewed relevant research in the background of the global\napproaches for ending TB by 2035. The findings originate from research done\nmostly in India which is relevant for other developing countries. </p>