Title: Role of private practitioners in tuberculosis control in India [editorial]

POPLINE Document Number: 129037

Author(s):

Grover NK

Source citation:

JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 1996 Oct;94(10):370-1.

Abstract:

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the most prevalent infections in the world despite efforts to eliminate it. Almost 1.9 billion people are infected with TB worldwide, although 90% of those infected do not develop disease during their lifetimes due to either acquired immunity or immunization with BCG vaccination. There are, however, more than 20 million active TB cases worldwide, with 85% of the burden of TB cases being in developing countries. An estimated 3 million people die annually from TB, with TB deaths outnumbering the annual death toll due to AIDS, malaria, cholera, and other tropical diseases combined. It is estimated that unless TB control programs become more effective, the current estimated annual incidence of 8 million cases of disease could reach 10.4 million by 2000 and 12.1 million by 2005. Half of the TB cases in developing countries are in India, in which private practitioners treat more than half of all TB patients. The National TB Control Program cannot be successful unless it involves private practitioners, as partners in the prevention and control strategy. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) can do much to help control TB in India.

Keywords:

India
Tuberculosis
Physicians
Private Sector
Prevention and Control
Asia, Southern
Asia
Developing Countries
Infections
Diseases
Health Personnel
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Macroeconomic Factors
Economic Factors