Initiative for Promoting Affordable and Quality Tuberculosis Tests [IPAQT]

Diagnostic services are provided free of cost at all public health laboratories, for patient referrals from the private sector. Laboratory services are also purchased from certified private sector laboratories through partnership schemes.

• The Initiative for Promoting Affordable and Quality TB Tests (IPAQT) was initiated in 2013 to bring World Health Organization (WHO)-approved tuberculosis tests at affordable prices to patients in the private sector. 
• IPAQT is an initiative of not-for-profit stakeholders and private sector labs/ hospitals (collection centres) with a pan-India presence. IPAQT brought together various private laboratories with the support of test manufacturers and other major stakeholders to:
  • Bring down the price for quality TB tests by up to 50% in the private sector (see table below)
  • Promote the use of these tests by building awareness among health providers, laboratories and patients

It's the responsibility of District TB Officers (DTOs) to ensure that, patients diagnosed through IPAQT laboratories are notified in the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) surveillance system and appropriate public health actions are initiated.

Resources

• Guidelines for Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant TB in India, 2021.
• IPAQT.

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