Move for free medicines & incentives for TB patients with pvt. doctors good
The central government is considering a plan that would incentivize patients and private doctors who treat tuberculosis patients. Financial aids and free medicines for the patients who visit these doctors are also being considered. The plan comes as part of the government’s “aggressive” strategy to eradicate TB.
The draft National Strategic Plan(NSP) for TB Elimination(2017-2025) would be soon rolled out. NSP proposes multiple benefits that include Rs 2,000 assistance for those patients who visit private sector doctors.
JP Nadda, the Union Health Minister said on Friday-at an event marking the World TB Day, that the NSP is to be finalized in under a month.
The NSP draft notes that TB is the nation’s severest health crisis. The disease claims 1,400 lives every single day, the draft says.
Incentives for private doctors
The TB care providers in the private sector would be incentivized to promote notification of TB cases and also to ensure treatment adherence and completion. The incentives will be provided once the notification hits the TB operating software named Nikshay.
For the private sector TB care provider, the incentives include:
- For notifying a TB case diagnosed according to the standards for TB Care in India(SCTI)- Rs. 250
- Upon completion of every month’s treatment- Rs. 250
- Upon completing the entire treatment course- Rs. 500
- For notifying and managing a drug-sensitive patient over a period of 6 to 9 months according to STCI- Rs.2,750
- Notifying an correct management of drug-resistant case over a period of 24 months according to STCI- Rs. 6,750
The draft document says that India has over a million missing cases each year which go without getting notified. Most of these remain either undiagnosed or unaccountably and inadequately diagnosed, and are treated in the private sector.
“This tragic loss of life, continued suffering, poverty need to end with concerted efforts from all of us,” says the document.
Free medicines and cash incentives for patients
The scheme will also have the provisions for free medicines to be given to TB patients who visit private doctors or institutes.
“To address financial and nutritional hardship patient and family undergo due to TB, and to reduce catastrophic cost to patients, cash incentive of Rs 2,000 will be provided for every TB patient through Direct Beneficiary Transfer,” says the draft.
It’s estimated that TB killed 1.8 million people in 2015 alone. Six nations- India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Indonesia and South Africa accounted for 60% of the total number of TB cases in the world.
According to the latest TB report released by the government, The Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) notified 17.5 lakh TB patients in 2016, from both public and private sectors, and 33,820 drug-resistant TB patients are notified additionally.”
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