Introduction

State Tuberculosis Training and Demonstration Centres (STDCs) are state-level strategic institutions in the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) which is headed by an STDC Director and it acts as the knowledge hub in the state in relation to the TB programme. It supports the state in Programme Management by conducting its core activities of Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation (SM&E) and Training in Tuberculosis (TB) and NTEP. Apart from this it also performs technical activities, such as, support in preparing the State Programme Implementation Plan, implementation and scale up of newer interventions, surveillance and TB burden estimation, ensure quality assured laboratory services, conducting Operational Research, evolve the state strategic plan for TB Elimination and advocacy for TB Elimination efforts in the state.

The STDCs were originally established during the National TB Programme (NTP) and existed before 1998, as the Tuberculosis Demonstration and Training Centres (TDTCs). It was later redesignated as the STDCs (State TB Training and Demonstration Centres) when Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched. The STDC guidelines was last released in 2003. It included Training, SM&E, Quality assurance (QA) of TB Laboratory diagnostics and Advocacy, Communication, Social Mobilization (ACSM), and OR as the major activities.

With the drive to accelerate progress toward TB Elimination, the NTEP has evolved and considerably expanded the range of TB services. The National Strategic Plan (NSP) of the NTEP envisaged the STDCs playing a significant role in building capacities of the NTEP cadres, General Health System, and Private health care facilities/ providers, along with S, M & E of the programme and operations research. With the evolution of the TB programme, the functions of STDCs have also expanded. Thus, there was a felt needed to revisit and revise the existing STDC Guidelines. 

An STDC baseline assessment was conducted (April 2021-2022), with support obtained from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported iDEFEAT TB Project, to evaluate and document the current status and functioning of STDCs. It was observed that there was wide variation in the capacity and functionality of STDCs in the country. Hence, there was a need to focus on revising the functional framework for STDCs. 

With this context, this revision of the STDC guidelines seeks to formally update the previous guideline (2003) to match current programme operations and vision of Ending TB. By using the guideline, states NTEP administrators should try to align their STDC structure and functions and eventually bring uniformity in its minimum functions and performance across the country. It will also enable the NTEP leadership to evaluate the functioning of these strategic institutions and build capacity and strengthen them for optimal functioning.