Expansion Of The Tuberculosis Programme In India: 
The Policy Evolution Towards Decentralization & Integration

Author
Dr. A. K. Chakraborty

Centre for Health Research and Development (CHRD), A Unit Of The Maharashtra Association Of Anthropological Sciences (MAAS) Pune, India.

Number of pages: 66

How to buy/obtain ?

To obtain a copy of the book contact Dr. Sudhakar Morankar, E-mail: maaschrd@vsnl.net  The book will be supplied free to those who can explain how book will be useful to them.

The book puts together the results of a study commissioned by CHRD. The funds for the study were provided under TB knowledge development programme sponsored by Department for International Development (DFID), London through London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

India is now engaged in a faster expansion of DOTS services through Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). The biggest challenges RNTCP faces today are, increasing access of poor and vulnerable sections to DOTS, step up detection of active TB cases (to achieve a target of at least 70%) and harmonize the services with health care delivery system at state, district and sub-district levels. 

The book describes the lessons learnt through implementation of National Tuberculosis Control Programme and analyses the reasons for its ‘failure’. One must remember that in half of the country TB control services are still being provided through the ‘infamous’ NTP. The book goes on to explain the strategy behind RNTCP implementation. Experiences the world over have demonstrated that high quality DOTS services translate into achievable target cure rates. The book cautions in no uncertain terms that there is no room for complacency and programme managers and health care providers have their task cut out for them. The book suggests that RNTCP will have to proceed with decentralization of supervisory and control mechanisms to facilitate faster expansion. 

Dr. A K Chakraborty is a well-known epidemiologist of the country and was associated with National Tuberculosis Institute (NTI) Banglore. He has drawn from his vast experience while preparing this document, which can be called a ‘mid-term evaluation’ of RNTCP. If RNTCP is to achieve its goal it must learn from its successes and failures so far and take corrective steps. The information provided through the book is unbiased. The remedial measures suggested by the author are both realistic and practical.

Any one interested in TB control in India will find this book informative and useful.