Question : HIV TB CO INFECTION

(a) whether as per a report, the number of cases of HIV-TB co-infection is on the rise in the country, and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(b) the number of cases of HIV-TB co-infection reported in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to prevent HIV-infected people from TB, particularly drug-resistant TB infection in the country;

(d) whether the Government proposes to set up more number of Anti Retroviral therapy (ART) centres and specialized hospitals for HIV/AIDS patients; and

(e) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of such ART centres/specialized hospitals for HIV/AIDS patients functioning in the country, State/UT-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) & (b): No. As per Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), only 45,475; 44,063; 44,958 & 23,216 HIV-TB co-infected patients have been registered for the calander year 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 (till June’14), respectively with a steady trend in the country. The State/UT-wise details of HIV-TB co-infected patients registered is placed at Annexure I.

(c): Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) is being implemented across the country, which offers free diagnosis and treatment services under Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) chemotherapy for TB patients, including drug-resistant TB and HIV-TB co-infected patients.

Rapid diagnostic tools are being used under RNTCP for early diagnosis of drug-resistant TB and their further management.

Under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), all people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) are regularly screened for TB, and get co-trimoxazole preventive therapy, if active TB is ruled out.

All TB suspected patients are being offered HIV testing for early detection of HIV and subsequent prevention of TB among them.

All States/UTs have been given guidelines to follow the Airborne infection control measures under RNTCP & NACP in the country.

(d) & (e): The government proposes to set up more number of ART centres in the country, 45 new ART centres are proposed for the current financial year 2014-15 out of which 31 are already established.

There are 456 ART centres functioning in the country as of October 2014. They also include 10 Centre of Excellences for adult patients and 7 Pediatric Centre of Excellences which are specialized centres for HIV/AIDS. The state/ UT-wise details of ART Centres are at Annexure II and Centre of Excellences and Pediatric Centre of Excellences are at Annexure III.