TB-STUDY 2LAST

To try and reach an estimate of the number of cases of TB To try and reach an estimate of the number of cases of TBin India’s private healthcare system, the researcherscalculated nationwide sales of TB drugs across the privatesector. They then used this figure to calculate the number ofcases. This suggested there were 2.2 million TB cases in theprivate sector in 2014 – two to three times higher thancurrent estimates. "India’s private sector is treating an enormous number ofpatients for tuberculosis, appreciably higher than has beenpreviously recognised. "Accordingly, there is a re-doubled need to address thisburden and to strengthen surveillance. Tuberculosis burdenestimates in India and worldwide require revision," the studysaid. The study said that its findings have implications forthe tuberculosis strategy in India and the "vast disorganised"private health-care sector poses major challenges totuberculosis control. "Our work points to the urgent need for furtherstrengthening of tuberculosis surveillance in the privatesector. Our findings highlight uncertainty around the trueburden of tuberculosis in India. Methods for estimatingthis burden should be complemented by independentapproaches generating primary data," the study said. PTI TDSRG