India: State govt to offer monetary benefits for private sector TB doctors and patients
Rs 500 on notification of a case; scheme to start on April 1 this year
The social stigma attached with tuberculosis (TB) is the prime reason why most patients prefer taking treatment from private doctors. The public health department, therefore, is unable to identify the actual number of TB patients in the state.
From April 1 onwards, the department has decided to provide incentives to private doctors who treat TB cases, and financial benefits and free medicines to patients in order to eliminate the disease. This initiative is a part of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB elimination (2017-2025) which will be rolled out across the Maharashtra state. The incentives will be offered so that private sector care providers will promote TB case notifications, ensure treatment adherence and completion. The incentives will be provided upon notification to the health departme.
Dr Sanjeev Kamble, joint director, (tuberculosis and leprosy), said, “Private sector TB care doctors will be given Rs 500 on notification of a case diagnosed as per standards for TB Care in India (SCTI) and Rs 500 on counselling the patients, and putting them on treatment and completion of entire course of the treatment. Also, to address financial and nutritional hardship patients undergo due to TB, and to reduce catastrophic cost to them, incentive of Rs 500 per month will be given.”
Dr Mahavir Modi, chest physician and pulmonologist at Ruby Hall Clinic, informed, “Every week, we come across seven to eight TB cases. Proper diagnosis is important to identify the disease, and once it is confirmed, the decision is taken by us whether to start the treatment in the hospital or refer the patient to a government setup. This new initiative will work only if government hospital doctors give importance for treatment to every patient.”
Source: Pune Mirror
