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

Lal, S.S. (2019)

Doctoral Thesis

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

• Tuberculosis
• End TB Strategy
• India
• Public-private collaborations
• Universal Health Coverage

• All authors: Lal, S.S.
• Supervisor: Middelkoop, B.J.C.; Visser, L.G.
• Co-supervisor: Dechesne, M.
• Committee: Reis, R.; Bijlmakers, L.; Cleeff, M. van; Cobelens, F.G.J.; Adriaanse, J.A.A.; Chavannes, N.H.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University
• Date: 2019-05-02