3 Ways to Engage the Private Sector against TB

TB is second only to HIV as a killer infectious disease, with more than 10 million new infections in 2015 and an estimated 1.8 million deaths mostly in low- and middle-income countries.In many countries, the private sector represents a major and growing source of services for suspected and active cases of TB. This often presents a challenge for national health systems that are ill-equipped to ensure that private providers provide safe and effective care.

In India, which is home to more people ill with tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) than any other country, PSI’s Project Axshya is improving case detection and management of drug susceptible TB through the private sector, where studies show most people first seek care. The project works with private providers in three important ways.

• Engaging with mid-level providers
• Building capacity of qualified private healthcare providers
• Leveraging information technology to bridge the gap

Source: Population Services International

Date of Publication: March 25, 2019