(a) whether Government have launched a scheme in Delhi to provide free drugs to T.B. patients even they are getting treatment from private practitioners;
(b) if so, whether Government have issued any guidelines to be followed by the private practitioners; and
(c) the details in this regard
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a): Yes, Sir. Under Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), there is a scheme to provide free drugs to TB patients even if they are getting treatment from private practitioners.
(b)&(c): To increase the access to TB care services in the country including Delhi, guidelines have been evolved for involvement of private practitioners. Private Practitioner (PPs) can involve themselves in the implementation of Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) through the concerned Districts TB Control Society through following schemes:
1. Referral of patients.
2. Provision of Directly Observed Treatment.
3. Designated microscopy centres set up for microscopy only or for both microscopy and treatment for which commodity assistance/commodity and financial assistance is provided.
For provision of free anti-TB drugs through private practitioners, the PPs are required to provide treatment to patients as per RNTCP Guidelines. It is mandatory to display in the clinics, a sign in their local language indicating that it is a DOTS Centre under RNTCP and all anti-TB drugs under RNTCP are provided by Government of India and is given to the patients free of cost.